Medical Service Learning

Medical service learning supplements and enhances medical education with real-world community engagement. All IU School of Medicine students have an opportunity to participate in a broad range of service learning experiences, including curricular and co-curricular programs. Through service learning experiences, educators and mentors emphasize medical students’ responsibility to serve as advocates for the health and well-being of the community.

Each IU School of Medicine campus offers different medical service learning opportunities for the local community, and these innovative experiences are part of a larger organization and commitment that encompasses all elements of the school’s medical education program. The Evansville campus offers many service learning programs throughout the year. From partnering with a local free medical clinic to provide care for the uninsured to making stuffed animals for a local children’s hospital, students can usually find a community engagement program that resonates on a personal level and facilitates professional growth. Students have engaged in independent service projects through the Salvation Army, Koch Family Children's Museum of Evansville, Red Cross, Tri-State Food Bank, Holly's House, Wesselman Woods nature preserve and Keep Evansville Beautiful.

Evansville Service Learning Teddy Bears

Students making stuffed animals for a local children's hospital. 

Get Involved

Connect with IU School of Medicine for opportunities to get involved with community engagement and service learning programs.

Local Programs

IU School of Medicine—Evansville medical students have partnered with the physicians at MASIHA (Muslim Association of Southern Indiana for Health Advancement) to provide free medical care and consultations in a variety of specialties to the medically uninsured and underinsured residents of Evansville and surrounding areas.

Students coordinate clinic responsibilities one day a month, from patient in-take to working side-by-side with physicians to provide medical examinations and consultations. A committee of student elected Evansville medical students assist with planning  clinic days and promoting of clinic to other medical students and community.

students in white coats surround a podium

IU School of Medicine—Evansville students and students from the University of Evansville and University of Southern Indiana participate in an annual special Habitat for Humanity of Evansville program, "Building Homes and Health," sponsored by Deaconess. Students from all three partner universities work together to construct the homes and receive a unique learning experience that allows them to connect with members of the community. 

Evansville Habitat Barn Blitz

Heartbeat Heroes is a partnership between IU School of Medicine—Evansville and the Southwest Indiana Area Health Education Center (AHEC) aimed to generate more interest in the medical field to students often lacking access to such resources. Medical students visit local 8th grade classrooms for a two-day immersive learning experience, introducing basic heart anatomy and physiology. After learning the heart's basic structure and function, the students utilize the knowledge learned in a pig heart dissection under the guidance of medical students. 

Evansville med students at Cedar Hall Community School.