I’m sure you’ve heard that medical schools want to see applicants serving underserved communities. This may seem intimidating, as it did to me at first, but it’s quite simple. However, first, let’s define what an underserved community is.
What is an “underserved community?”
This is a comprehensive definition of underserved communities from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, an agency of the US Department of Homeland Security:
Groups that have limited or no access to resources or that are otherwise disenfranchised. These groups may include people who are socioeconomically disadvantaged; people with limited English proficiency; geographically isolated or educationally disenfranchised people; people of color as well as those of ethnic and national origin minorities; women and children; individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs; and seniors.
Think of the challenges these groups face in general and specifically, in relation to healthcare. Those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged have issues with insurance, as do people of color. Minorities have a general distrust of institutionalized healthcare (for good reason). People who do not speak English may not be able to keep with changes in healthcare policies.
Why do medical schools want applicants to serve these communities?
When you’re a doctor, you’re going to interact with these communities daily. Medical schools want to see that you’re aware of the issues that these groups face and what your job entails. Also, if your first exposure to the limited insurance that people of color have in the US comes when you're a doctor, you can’t provide effective care tailored to your patient’s situation. You cannot help your community unless you know your community.
Having the right intention
Now, when you’re going out to serve these communities, having the right intention might be a bit tricky. Yes, a part of the reason might be to build your medical school application. But don’t let that be your only reason. If it is, you will be absolutely miserable, slaving through an activity you have no interest in, and the service you provide won’t be the best quality. Serve for the sake of serving.
Perhaps you are part of an underserved community yourself. Think of the struggles you have gone through, however latent they may be, and imagine the difference you can make in someone else’s life so that they don’t have to go through the same thing.
If you aren’t part of an underserved community, I caution you to be aware of something a mentor told me: Don’t try to play hero for a people who don’t want to be saved. Humble yourself, and think of the stories, as real as your own, that the people in these groups carry. Then, try to be just a small character in their story that irons the fraying edges of their story for the sake of helping them, not to bolster your own story.
So, how do you serve underserved communities?
First, I would encourage you to dig deeply. Try to get more than just a surface understanding of these issues. And the best way to do this is to immerse yourself in such a community.
Also, the way you serve does not have to be directly related to healthcare. You don’t have to work at a free clinic, for instance, to get experience. This is a great way, but you can also work with programs that provide tutoring for students of color. You’re still getting an intimate understanding of the community.
Lastly, stick with it. This is something that I struggle with. I tend to jump from one activity to another. But try to stick with one community. And serve for as long as you can. Also, do not leave serving even when your med school application is done!
Here are some ideas on how to serve an underserved community:
Salvation Army: there are so many ways to get involved and so many communities the Salvation Army serves (linked). Also, look through the groups they list on their website. Even if you don’t want to volunteer with the Salvation Army, you can focus on one of those groups, and look for opportunities in your area related to that group.
Project Hope volunteer: provides medical services across the world in areas that need them most and invests in healthcare solutions. This is the link to a specific volunteer opportunity as a translator that you can do remotely but you do have to be 21 years old: Volunteer Interpreter or Translator
Bring Doctors Without Borders onto your college campus if it doesn’t have a charter for them already. You can then help fundraise and bring awareness. However, do not let this be your only experience with underserved communities because it isn’t directly working with such groups.
Reading Partners: works with under-resourced schools and students who may be behind in their reading level
Global Brigades trips that your college may host
A free clinic in your area: shoot an email to one and see what happens.
Homeless shelters
Hospice (seniors)
Tutoring/ after-school camps
Food bank
My final advice
Take it easy. The world is pretty messed up, and in just listing all the opportunities above, I wish I could get involved in so much. But just pick one. And stick with it. Even then, you don’t have to go crazy with it. Volunteer once a week. Of course, don’t be afraid to explore just a bit into other groups than the one you’re working with, but keep it simple.
Let me know if you have any opportunities you could add to the list, and shoot any questions my way!
Till next week.
Reading Partners was a great volunteer activity. Unfortunately I had to stop because the commute was too taxing. Great post!