Philadelphia Summer Medical Institute 2010
The Philadelphia Summer Medical Institute 2010 (SMI Philly 2010), is a two-week program in which volunteer health professions students and practitioners will address health needs of the Latino and underserved community of North Philadelphia, and provides a way for students to learn to integrate their faith within their medical careers. The two-week 
program, scheduled for June 12-26, 2010, will be run by Esperanza Health Center, in conjunction with Medical Campus Outreach, a Christian health professions student outreach on the medical campuses of Philadelphia.
History of the Summer Medical Institute
The Summer Medical Institute (SMI) originally started in Philadelphia in 1992, again as a partnership of Esperanza Health Center and Medical Campus Outreach. In 2002, the program was moved to an underserved area in Texas. This is the first year that EHC and MCO will bring the SMI back to Philadelphia. The Texas SMI will continue, as will 13 other SMI-like programs that have been started throughout the United States and around the world.
After initial training sessions at Esperanza, students will conduct door-to-door health outreach in teams throughout North Philadelphia's neighborhoods, offering HIV, diabetes, blood pressure and nutritional screens. Students will at the same time seek to share the love of Christ, the Great Physician, with individuals and families they meet. Through this experience, students will learn first-hand the impact of social, cultural, emotional, spiritual, and economic factors on individuals' health. Also, through interaction with clinicians and staff members at Esperanza Health Center, students will have opportunity to observe an effective model of Christian primary health care. Esperanza's clinicians, including physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, will speak on a number of topics relevant to serving as a Christian in health care delivery. During the two weeks of SMI Philly 2010, students will live in community with each other in North Philaelphia, and will work in partnership with area churches, attending services on Sunday and getting to know the community.
Please note: Applications for SMI Philly 2010 are closed as of 3/15/2010.
For more information about SMI Philly 2010, please contact:
Susanna Linton, RN
Director, SMI Philly 2010
smi@esperanzahealth.com