Health & Community Service

Service learning is a form of experiential learning in which volunteer community service is integrated with faculty-directed lectures, readings, discussions, and reflection activities. The purpose of service learning is to use a real-world setting to help students refine their skills in problem solving, critical thinking, data analysis, civic and ethical responsibility, and interpersonal development. Working with diverse and marginalized populations as part of the service learning experience informs both student learning and future practice, which helps students meet the challenges of their chosen career path.  

Community Service in the Curriculum

Medical Sciences students can opt to incorporate service into their major electives and capstone:

• Health & Community: Service-Learning Rotation (MEDS3050) is a one-semester course designed to provide an SL experience to students interested in health-related careers
• Health & Community: Service-Learning Capstone I and II (MEDS5050, MEDS5051) is a two-semester capstone experience restricted to students in the medical sciences major. Medical Sciences majors must select either the SL capstone or the biomedical research capstone

Annie Fitzgerald Award

The Annie Fitzgerald Award for Leadership and Service is awarded each year to University of Cincinnati undergraduate students who have shown leadership and possess a passion for service. Two Medical Sciences students have won the award. For more information about the award, visit the Center for Community Engagement.

Where Students Serve

Medical Sciences students serve the community in many ways. Some of the organizations they are working with include: