Family Medicine, Student Programs - University of Mississippi Medical Center

Medical Student Programs, Jackson Free Clinic

HISTORY

In the fall of 2000, Dr. Joyce Olutade, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, addressed the leaders of the student Family Medicine Interest Group. She proposed an idea for a student-run health clinic to serve the indigent and homeless populations of Jackson. She had recently worked in a similar facility in California, and felt Jackson would benefit from this type of clinic. The clinic would provide a needed service while allowing medical students to gain knowledge and experience in a clinic setting. An organizational meeting was held and six medical students began working to make this idea a reality.

TODAY

The Jackson Free Clinic (JFC) is run by medical students at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi, as well as volunteer physicians from the local community.

The Clinic offers non-emergency medical care, including evaluation, testing, prescription drugs, and education, to individuals who cannot pay. Staffing for our clinic is solely on a volunteer basis. The student-run Jackson Free Clinic was created to increase access to healthcare and assist in restoring health and employment in an underserved population. We focus on major healthcare issues affecting underserved individuals by providing high quality and caring treatment and education for prevention of acute and chronic medical conditions. Through our efforts, we strive to decrease the emotional and financial burden on the uninsured and society.

The Clinic is currently open on Saturdays from 12:00-4:00 pm at 925 Martin Luther King, Jr, and is staffed by several volunteer medical students including but not limited to one upperclassman (third or fourth year medical student). Each Saturday, there is at least one volunteer physician who supervises patient care.

Mission Statement

to provide high-quality health services to individuals in Jackson, Mississippi, who have inadequate access to medical care. Our services include examination, treatment, education, preventive care, and referrals to appropriate community resources when necessary;
to provide the opportunity for medical students to learn from physicians, patients, and other medical students in a collaborative, professional setting;
to promote awareness of the ongoing needs of our patients.

Jackson Free Clinic
2007-2008 Board of Directors

Medical Director: Joyce Olutade, M.D.
Student Director: Dustin LeBlanc, M4
Secretary: Amanda Vick, M3
Treasurer: Taylor McPherson, M2
Student Volunteer Coordinator: Angela Sood, M3
Student Volunteer Coordinator: Justin Qualls, M3
Physician Volunteer Coordinator: Turner Simmons, M3
Structure Director: Michael Foster, M3
Acquisitions/Building Director: Lucas McElwain, M2
Acquisitions/Building Director: Jeremy Wigginton, M4
Community Relations Director: Maribeth Porter, M3
Communiy Relations Director: Justin Daniels, M3
Education Director: Lauren McClain, M2
Research Director: John Tullos, M3
Grant-Writing Director: Stephen Bergin, M4

MEDICAL STUDENTS ARE LISTED BY YEAR AND ARE TRAINING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER IN JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI.