The majority of our students participate in community outreach opportunities provided by the Emory PA Program. These opportunities include:
The Emory Farmworker Project founded in 1996
Project Scope
Over 200 student-clinicians, volunteer physicians, and other health professions faculty, medical interpreters, and logistics volunteers travel to rural South Georgia to provide two weeks of free, high-quality medical and dental care to over 1,600 migrant farmworkers and their families each June. Much needed primary care services and medications are provided to this often invisible patient population. PA students, PT students, medical students, and marriage and family therapy students work together in teams to care for patients. This care includes treating acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries from farm labor, managing chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension or asthma, and counseling patients with mental health issues. Students also mentor college-bound teens interested in the health professions through the Teen Corp Program.
Impact
Now, in its 23rd year, the Project has delivered care to over 28,000 patients since its inception and has been awarded numerous grants for its innovative, interprofessional training curricula and outreach. This is the hallmark service-learning project of the Emory PA Program. The program allows students to practice culturally sensitive medicine in the most austere of settings as they are progressing through the clinical year. Matriculating students have indicated that the Farmworker Project and community outreach are consistently the strongest influence in their decision to attend the Emory PA Program. Agriculture is the largest economic driver in Georgia. Many crops need to be picked by hand, and these hands belong to farmworkers who have no access to healthcare. Over time, we have built a relationship of trust and respect with many growers in South Georgia and work together to keep workers healthy.
The Emory PA Student-Directed Clinic at The Good Samaritan Health Center, founded in 2006
Project Scope
The Good Samaritan Health Center, a faith-based organization that serves as a comprehensive Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) for the working poor and underinsured, provides medical, dental, and behavioral counseling services. Atlanta's homeless and those with no income make up ~20% of patient visits, the working poor ~70%, and those who are Medicaid/Medicare eligible compose ~10% of the Center’s 30,000 visits each year. Patients pay for services on a reduced fee sliding scale based on income. The Center incorporates innovative chronic disease management through its Urban Farm Program (which grows and distributes fresh produce) and nutrition counseling.
Impact
Our partnership with “Good Sam” dates back to 2003 when students first came to provide education and counseling to patients at the fledgling clinic started by pediatrician and philanthropist William Warren, IV, MD. Since moving to its new location in the English Avenue neighborhood of Atlanta in 2006, the PA Program has staffed a student-led clinic on the first Saturday of each month and helps care for new patients under the supervision of volunteer providers from our Department of Family and Preventive Medicine. Pre-clinical students work closely with clinical year PA students to take patient histories and perform physical exams, gaining valuable experience in perfecting their oral patient presentation skills and learning to formulate an appropriate assessment and plan for each patient. Students learn how to deliver culturally competent care by working alongside certified medical interpreters while caring for the Center’s growing immigrant and refugee patient population. Students may also request a clinical elective rotation at Good Sam during their clinical year and gain additional exposure to the PCMH model of care.
