Medical students at the South Bend campus, much like all IU School of Medicine campuses, are encouraged to engage in medical service learning experiences as members of the community. South Bend offers a variety of service learning opportunities, including the Navari Student Outreach Clinic. These diverse experiences not only develop clinical and communication skills but they also aid in the advancement of awareness and empathy. By working directly with community programs, students learn the specific needs of the South Bend population. Students learn to use their voices as advocates, build cultural competence and continue to develop into well-rounded physicians that fight for all patients — in and out of the clinical environment.
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Local Programs
When initiating the Navari Student Outreach Clinic, students established a dual mission that focuses on delivering high quality care to the South Bend community and enriching student educational experiences. Driven by IU School of Medicine—South Bend student and faculty volunteers as well as community support, the clinic serves the health care needs of uninsured and underserved South Bend populations.
As of 2023, Navari Student Outreach Clinic is not seeing patients or taking student volunteers. This page will be updated to reflect any changes regarding Navari Student Outreach Clinic and whether it is taking patients and volunteers.
The IU School of Medicine—South Bend campus partners with Memorial Hospital’s Family Medicine Residency program to provide care to patients experiencing homelessness at Motels4Now, a local housing-first program. This opportunity equips medical students with a deeper understanding of social determinants of health and teaches them how to design outside-the-box treatment plans in the face of socioeconomic restrictions. Most importantly, Street Medicine South Bend provides a space for rough sleepers to feel seen and heard by health care professionals, opening the door for trusting relationships and receiving the care they need. In the coming months, the street medicine program is transitioning to include caring for patients directly on the streets. Medical students are able to start volunteering with Street Medicine South Bend after the fall semester of their first year.
Clay Church Food Pantry is one of the largest in the area and provides essential groceries and household items to members of the community, no questions asked. Medical students have the opportunity to help in their fight against food insecurity by helping organize donations, prepare food orders and engage with clients while taking their orders. This hands-on work highlights the importance of access to nutrition.
This community center serves local Latino and immigrant populations through a multitude of programs including educational programs, youth mentoring, preschool, citizenship classes and more. Supporting the center's events and mission deepens students' cultural competence and helps breaks downs barriers faced by non-English speaking and immigrant patients.
The Center for the Homeless is South Bend’s largest facility for people experiencing homelessness. They provide a variety of serves including but not limited to dining services, transportation services, emergency services and veteran services. Working with this organization helps students gain experience in caring for this vulnerable population.
Unity Gardens is a web of free public gardens across the South Bend area. These green spaces promote healthy eating and community connection while combatting food deserts. They host many educational activities on the environment and sustainable living. Medical students are able to help with maintenance of this network and learn about wellness and the role of nutrition in preventative care.
St. Margaret’s House is a day center dedicated to empowering women and children experiencing hardship. They provide essential resources, skill-building classes and individualized support services to help women achieve stability and independence. The South Bend chapter of AMWA partners with St. Margaret’s through drives, fundraising and volunteer events, offering medical students an opportunity to engage directly with vulnerable populations and learn the importance of social support in promoting health and resilience.
REAL Services created the first program in the United States that built sites for nutrition and socialization for older adults. They serve seniors through nutrition assistance, social/financial support and building connection in the senior community. Students are able to better learn how to serve those with age-related needs and disability status.
RMHC Michiana serves as a refuge for parents and siblings of children being treated at Beacon Children’s Hospital, Memorial Hospital and Memorial Epworth Center in South Bend. It’s a place for parents and siblings to rest and rejuvenate only steps away from their loved ones — all for no cost to them.
IU School of Medicine—South Bend students regularly join RMHC for their annual events, such as the North Pole and Big Balloon Build. Additionally, students have the opportunity to use the RMHC coffee cart to deliver coffee, snacks and toys to children receiving care and their families. Students can also prepare meals on-site for the families currently staying at RMHC through their Chef-for-a-day program.