Medical Student Community Health Education

Improving the health of the community in which we live, work, and play is both rewarding and inspirational. This is particularly important for medical students. Gaining first-hand experience with the social factors that affect health—and connecting with the community you will serve—is a key step toward becoming an exceptional healthcare provider.

The Center for Community Health & Prevention collaborates with the medical school and the OMSEP office to advance community outreach and education. 

Distinction in Community Health

Students interested in integrating community health learning into their medical school education can register to be a candidate for Distinction in Community Health. If successful in making significant longitudinal contributions to community health improvement, the student will be recognized at graduation as an MD with Distinction in Community Health. 

Additional benefits of Distinction in Community Health:

• Opportunity for students to complete substantial and sustainable community health improvement with community partners, and experience community health first-hand 
• Opportunities for students to present work at the Distinction in Community Health Forum, and other learning, presentation, and funding opportunities through the Distinction network 
• Students work independently on a health improvement project during Community Health Improvement Courses in Phase 3 or Phase 4 
• Qualify for the Costanza Community Impact Award, the Fiscella Excellence in Community Health Award, or the Creative Initiative in Community Health Award, available only to Distinction Candidates 

Interested in learning more about Distinction in Community Health? Contact Carolyn Settle, MPH, health education coordinator.

Andrus Summer Fellowship

The Center for Community Health & Prevention provides $5,000 to medical students, or exceptional public health master's students, through the E. Cowles Andrus Summer Fellowship for Community Health Improvement. This fellowship offers medical students an opportunity to plan and conduct community health improvement projects that impact the health and wellness of Rochester and its surrounding area. 

To learn more about the fellowship, contact Carolyn. 

Learning Resources

Learn more about the impact of community and the social drivers of health:

• Association for Prevention Teaching and Research - Public Health Learning Modules
• AMA STEPS Forward™ Modules - Addressing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH): Beyond the Clinic Walls
• AMA's Understanding and Improving Population Health Module