The Service Learning Program at the University of St. Thomas enables students to connect classroom theory with practical experience in the community. The Program offers a way to make a contribution in a form of experiential education that incorporates community service within the context of a student’s field of study.

Students in spring 2009 medical microbiology and cell biology classes were required to volunteer for 10 hours at an underserved clinic including Healthcare for the Homeless, San Jose Clinic, a Catholic clinic, El Centro de Corazón and Ben Taub clinics.

During their volunteer hours, the students were challenged to identify the most common infectious diseases or ailments they encountered at the clinics, and develop an informational brochure about one disease for distribution to patients. Student brochures explored diseases such as hepatitis, influenza, strep and diabetes.

The final projects will be used to educate patients on how to recognize symptoms of a particular disease and the means for disease prevention. In creating the brochures, students had to practice the important skill of communicating aspects of biology and health care in general terms to the public.

“Dr. Rosell and I wanted to create a project where students could apply the scientific knowledge and skills they learned in class in a creative, engaging way,” Larios-Sanz said. “This project is in line with the University’s goal to educate leaders of faith and character. Working in the clinics gives students a first-hand, realistic view of health care issues among the underserved populations, and what it means to make a contribution to the community.”

The program was well-received by students, many of whom chose to continue their clinic service independently after the end of the semester. UST biology student Ryan Kahl, who graduated in May 2009, was recognized for his service to the San Jose Clinic, and received the organization’s Volunteer of the Month award.

“This rewarding project gave many of us, who thought we are too busy to volunteer, a wakeup call” Kahl said.”

This was the first time the Biology Department has required a service-learning project, but positive student feedback has inspired the Biology Department to make plans for integrating future service learning projects throughout the biology curriculum.

“The service learning aspect of the course was one of the most interesting parts of my college education,” said Vania Phuoc, a senior biology major. “I feel like I left the course not only with the knowledge about diseases relevant to everyday life, but also with knowledge about health care at an underserved clinic.”