Service learning is encouraged for students on the West Lafayette campus to serve as advocates for the health and well-being of the community.

Medical Service Learning

Because practicing medicine is more than just diagnosing and treating patients, medical students at the West Lafayette campus—along with all other eight IU School of Medicine locations—are encouraged to engage in medical service learning experiences as members of the community. Students who participate in these types of projects are able to better understand social and community contexts of health care.

West Lafayette offers a variety of service learning opportunities, including Crossroads Student Outreach Clinic. This free, monthly health clinic is a collaboration between IU School of Medicine and IU Health and is staffed by physicians in the Family Medicine Residency at IU Health Arnett. It provides a needed community service along with a service-learning opportunity for medical students and residents.

Crossroads SOC volunteers and staff

Other service learning opportunities include Big Brothers Big Sisters projects, Bowling for Riley, a blood drive, a Boys and Girls Club of Lafayette partnership, Caregiver Companion work, Diabetes Day, Habitat for Humanity events, HEART (Health – Education Empowerment – Resource – Team) health fairs, McCutcheon High School Honors Biology Class experience, Purdue Spring Fest, Rainbow Resources Fair, a toy drive and a clothing drive.

Service learning programs across the state are available to advance students’ professional interests. International medical service learning opportunities are also available and may include financial support. Students have participated in programs such as Himalayan Health Exchange over the summer or in the ENLACE program in Nicaragua during spring break. Working with underserved populations throughout the world cultivates enhanced social responsibility for future physicians.

Get Involved

Connect with IU School of Medicine for opportunities to get involved with community engagement and service learning programs.

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Student Life

Celebrating Excellence: Meet West Lafayette student, community advocate Bri Rayman

West Lafayette medical student Briana Rayman leads the opening of the new Crossroads Student Outreach Clinic at IU Health Arnett Hospital. Rayman is recipient of the Excellence in Action award for her campus.

Laura Gates  |  Nov 30, 2023