Deanna and I were talking with some folks tonight about some examples of people who have gone out of their way to serve others.  It reminded me of several of the doctors and students at Tulane.  I am proud to attend a school where so many of the people there make a priority of serving others.  I wanted to take a minute to share a couple examples.

One of the family physicians who used to be on staff at Tulane Medical School volunteers his Tuesday nights at Bridge House.  Bridge House is a substance abuse rehabilitation center.  Dr. Theis sees the men who are undergoing treatment for no charge.  In addition, he provides medicines and tries to connect them with other free clinics and resources in the city so that they can have better follow up care and obtain diagnostic imaging.  

Fleur de Vie Clinic (https://tmedweb.tulane.edu/fdv/) is a clinic that was started by Tulane medical students and run by a multitude of volunteers.  Twice a month residents and attendings (physicians on staff with Tulane) volunteer their Saturdays to help see patients who have no means of paying.  The clinic is an extension of Tulane’s Community Clinic at Covenant House (http://www.tucovenanthealthcenter.org/).  This clinic was started after hurricane Katrina to help serve the needs of the people of New Orleans who have no ability to pay for healthcare.  

Tulane also has other clinics that serve low income areas.  They recently opened a community clinic in a Vietnamese community which has very few other healthcare options in the area.  Tulane faculty and students are also very active in volunteering their time, money and expertise in several other countries.  

Time is something that very few people have in abundance, especially physicians and arguably medical students.  To see so many of my classmates and teachers take such a proactive and giving role  is very encouraging.  It helps fuel my fire to do the same with my time now and especially in the future.

Roll wave roll!