New med students serve the community before starting classes

Ten hours a year of service learning, which includes volunteering in the community, is now mandatory for all medical students attending the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Last Saturday, first-year students took a strictly hands-on — or in some cases, gloves-on — approach to it. Half of the incoming class of 2019 — about 70 students — took part in the medical school’s second annual Medical Student Day of Service.

Working side by side with community leaders from the Minnesota Avenue Block Club, Habitat for Humanity and the Pelion Community Garden on Best Street, the students tackled overgrown urban gardens and medians, and conducted a massive cleanout of a house that will be restored and refurbished for new tenants.

The event was sponsored by the medical school’s Office of Medical Education in cooperation with the UB Office of Community Relations.

“In keeping with its tradition of service to the community, UB encourages members of the incoming medical school class to participate in activities in the city of Buffalo that will enhance the well-being of the entire community,” says David Milling, senior associate dean for student and academic affairs. “In addition to this event, students will be presented information during orientation week that will provide insight into the economics and health of the population in the city of Buffalo.”