Dozens of TUSM students are engaged in community-based organizations and schools in Chinatown each year.
This year, the mission of the MD Student Council is to encourage local community involvement and outreach. Students planned a mini health fair as part of Chinatown’s annual Oak Street Fair in September. They tested cranial nerves and physical fitness using a combination of ping-pong, balloons, and creative exercises for the children attending the fair. In October, students in the Learning Communities sponsored an afternoon of carving pumpkins with children at the Chinatown Y’s afterschool program.
A number of students serve as mentors in the ESL and after-school tutoring programs at the Youth Center at the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC). The Girls Value Program, also based at the BCNC, was founded by medical student Wilma Chan in 2007. Today, the program continues to be led by female Asian-American medical students, providing social and emotional support for Asian-American girls between the ages of 11 and 16 (see sidebar story). Albert Schweitzer Fellowship projects include an acapella group at the Josiah Quincy Upper School and a photography program at BCNC.
The Community Health Advocates at Tufts (CHAT) is a student group comprised of Tufts graduate students in health related fields. CHAT’s focus is on health promotion, health policy, and engaging the community at local, state, and national levels about issues of public health relating to health promotion, disease prevention and management. Recent events include free beginner Spanish classes and health advocacy training.
The Sackler School Graduate Student Council is also involved in service in the Boston community. Students recently spent time at Rosie’s Place, a local shelter for poor and homeless women, staffing the evening food pantry.