UCalgary Student Run Clinic expands to YW Calgary

Calgary, AB – At the University of Calgary’s Student Run Clinic, an appointment starts with a conversation and active listening. The approach used to address accessibility to health care in marginalized inner city populations has impressed YW Calgary enough to add it to the roster of services offered to their clients.

“Many of these women have gone through a lot. Some feel unheard. It can be difficult for them to talk about their health care needs. We want to create a safe space. We encourage them to share their story with us. As students we are still learning. We want to cover everything. When they need time to cry or feel distressed, we hold the space for them. We relax together. Usually after that we can move forward.”

Sharon Parappally-Joseph, a second year medical student at the Cumming School of Medicine

Students are in a team of two when they first meet with a patient. They spend up to half an hour gathering the most accurate story possible to advocate for the patient when the physician joins them to learn about the patient’s needs, conduct the physical exam, and determine treatment.

“Part of our job is to act as the gateway to help people get back into the health-care system, provide that helping hand.  Seeing a doctor is a first step in primary care. Some people we see have not seen a doctor for many years.”

Dr. Andrew Wong, MD ’11, clinical lecturer at the CSM and medical director for the Calgary Student Run Clinic

The Student Run Clinic (SRC) expanded to YW Calgary in April 2023.

“The partnership with SRC has been valuable for our clients in building trust with health-care providers. The one-on-one connection between clients and the medical students has helped reduce barriers this population faces when accessing medical supports. Some of our clients haven’t met with a family physician in years for various reasons, including impacts of experience, social stigmas, and limited resources. Having a physician on site to provide primary care services, preventive medicine and health education is a critical step to empowering our clients to successfully navigate the healthcare system.”

Salwa Naalu, Manager, Housing and Outreach, YW Calgary

The SRC is a non-profit organization that was created by the MD class of 2011. Students were looking for opportunities to give back to the community by providing accessible and quality medical care to Calgary’s inner-city population.

“As student’s progress, they see through the client’s eyes. They gain empathy and understanding for people who are marginalized,” says Wong. “They also gain clinical skills along the way. A lot of mental health training as well as practical experience such as using an otoscope and conducting short physical exams.”

Wong helped when the first clinic opened in the Calgary Drop-In Centre. The SRC main clinic later moved to the Mustard Seed Wellness Centre where it’s operated for three years.

The SRC is overseen by a board made up of 2^nd and 3^rd year medical students, faculty, and community partners. Students make up the executive team and manage the clinic. They operate the reception area, book appointments, manage fundraisers, provide education workshops to clients, and plan the growth and development of the clinic. Developing business skills are only part of the lesson.  

“We’re learning history taking, advocacy and get an opportunity to practice clinical skills, exam skills. We learn to manage a patient and recommend a treatment plan based on their coverage, that’s not something I realized I had to consider so deeply,” says Parappally-Joseph. “I’ve learned how to look up things that were covered [by insurance] and what can we do if they don’t have any coverage. You don’t think about it on a daily basis, in most hospitals. Treatments are all covered, but in the community – everything is different.”

Parappally-Joseph says the practical education she’s gained at the YW clinic, while challenging is also very rewarding. 

“During one shift a patient returned to the clinic later in the day to say ‘this is the first time I felt heard’. It made my day. Now she’s happy to come back to the clinic. Seeing her come back made my week. Sometimes you don’t see the impact you’re having, and we were just listening.”

The primary fundraiser for the SRC is the Health Equity Dinner, formerly called the Rich Man, Poor Man dinner. This year’s theme is mental health and addictions. Tickets are still available for the November 20 event.
 

Media inquiries

Kelly Johnston
Sr. Communications Specialist, Media Relations
Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary
Kelly.johnston2@ucalgary.ca
403-617-8691

Carla Link
Director, Communications & Community Relations
YW Calgary
587.228.8663

About the University of Calgary 
UCalgary is Canada’s entrepreneurial university, located in Canada’s most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 35,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada’s leader in the creation of startups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. 

For more information, visit ucalgary.ca. Stay up to date with UCalgary news headlines on Twitter @UCalgary. For access to UCalgary news releases, images and B-roll, and details on faculties and how to reach experts, check out our newsroom at ucalgary.ca/newsroom. 

About the Cumming School of Medicine
The University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) is driven to create the future of health. We are a proud leader with seven world-class research institutes and 2,900 students, as well as faculty and staff, working to advance education and research in precision medicine and precision public health, improving lives in our community and around the world. Visit cumming.ucalgary.ca and follow us @UCalgaryMed.

About YW Calgary  
YW Calgary focuses on supporting women and their families to thrive, safely and equitably. With the support of our donors, government partners and other social agencies we provide an array of programs and services which focus on preventing incidents of domestic violence and trauma by building knowledge and skills to promote healthy relationships, mental wellness & financial resiliency, all while continuing to offer the critical supports women and their families need. We care about each other, our clients and our community and are driven by the lasting impact we have on women, their families and by extension, their community.   
ywcalgary.ca.