Recent Initiatives

Here are examples of recent community service initiatives involving students at University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

Caring For Communities (CFC) Grant Program

In 2006, the UW School of Medicine and Public Health received a Caring for Communities grant from the American Association of Medical Colleges, supported by matching funds from former Senior Associate Dean for Education Susan Skochelak, MD, MPH.

This grant-funded program, Allied United for Health, allows medical students and other health professional and preprofessional students to engage in service opportunities with our community partner, the Allied Wellness Center, and other neighborhood agencies.

Students are responsible for the development and delivery of health promotion activities designed to address multiple determinants of health contributing to health disparities in an overburdened neighborhood in Madison. Programs have included:

• Nutrition and fitness
• Stress reduction
• Health care access
• Diabetes screening and education
• Heart health
• Self esteem
• Literacy
• Violence prevention and reduction
• Smoking cessation

Wisconsin Idea Fellowship (WIF) Grant Program

In 2009 we received our fifth WIF grant from UW-Madison's Morgridge Center for Public Service. The WIF project for 2009-2010 is a year-long community based fitness program. Program components include:

• Monthly fitness activities
• Walking club
• Body image community discussion