Washington, D.C., July 13, 2006 -- The AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) has awarded grants to eight U.S. medical schools for the development or expansion of medical student-initiated community service programs.

The Caring for Community grant program provides funding for service projects initiated, developed, and administered by medical students in collaboration with existing community agencies or other medical school outreach activities. Supported by the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative, the grants range from $12,000-$30,000 over a period of one to four years, depending on the type of community service project. Since 2000, when the Caring for Community program began, more than $1 million has been awarded to support medical student projects at 61 schools nationwide.

The 2006 grantees are: 1) Dartmouth Medical School; 2) Emory University School of Medicine; 3) State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine; 4) Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine; 5) University of Colorado School of Medicine; 6) University of Mississippi School of Medicine; 7) University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health; and 8) Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

"These grants provide the needed resources for students to simultaneously serve their communities and enhance their understanding of community needs and the serious challenges faced by many community residents as they attempt to access health care. But the truth of the matter is that the participating students benefit as much as the patients they serve as they put their altruism and personal and clinical skills to work in these volunteer efforts. The satisfaction these students experience is both rewarding and exhilarating," said Robert Sabalis, Ph.D., associate vice president of student affairs and programs for the AAMC.

"We are very proud to support and honor the students who have committed themselves to such valuable community service projects," said Mike Magee, M.D., director of the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative. "These initiatives will inevitably benefit underserved individuals and direct resources to where they are needed most."

The following programs and projects were awarded grants this year:

Dartmouth Medical School
"Mascoma Valley Free Health Clinic"
There are few doctors and health care facilities in Mascoma Valley. Funds from this grant will expand the scope of the Mascoma Valley Free Health Clinic to include primary care services, more essential pharmaceutical resources, and additional health education programs.