COMP-Northwest (OR) Community Engagement & Service Learning
Community Engagement and Service-Learning Education strengthens medical education by integrating classroom knowledge and community service, building compassionate medical leaders through interdisciplinary teamwork that improves overall community health and the health of at-risk and underserved populations.
Vision
In preparing future osteopathic physicians, we commit to competent, compassionate and respectful patient care. We will embrace diversity and promote equality in our communities. With selfless dedication, we commit ourselves to community service through education and practice, strengthening osteopathic benefits to our community and improving community outcomes. Moving beyond the uncomfortable and inconvenient, we will combine our individual strengths and commit our lives to humanitarian service.
Mission
Community Engagement and Service-Learning Education strengthens medical education by integrating classroom knowledge and community service, building compassionate medical leaders through interdisciplinary teamwork that improves overall community health and the health of at-risk and underserved populations.
Objectives
- Identify and build interdisciplinary partnerships that work on culturally diverse community-based projects and collaborations that promote positive social change
- Foster interdependent relationships where the community actively participates in building positive real-life community-based experiences for our medical students
- Create student, faculty, and staff opportunities for active involvement in community development activities that positively impact health outcomes
- Identify and encourage leadership participation on key community boards, forums and conferences
- Support foundation efforts and collaboration that enhance the community partnerships we serve
- Enhance short- and long-term partnerships by communicating outcomes to a variety of community stakeholders
- Develop new courses in which community-based partnerships are central to course learning
- Enhance existing courses by integrating community engagement into the course curriculum
COMP-Northwest: The Strain of Healthcare on EMS in Oregon
For several years, the Lebanon Fire District has partnered with Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) to establish a service learning program called the WesternU Lebanon Fire District Emergency Alliance (WLEA). WesternU College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest students volunteer as EMTs, firefighters and first responders with the District to complete requirements for graduation.
WLEA students composed a white paper titled “The Strain of Healthcare on EMS in Oregon.” The white paper was done on behalf of the Lebanon Fire District and the Oregon Ambulance Association (OSAA) and was based on an earlier position paper released by the OSAA and the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association (OFCA).
A Comprehensive Review of the State of EMS in Oregon (PDF)
We serve on community, state and regional boards and coalitions in advisory, education and volunteer capacities. Our focus is includes: health policy, health literacy, healthy communities, healthy lifestyles, oral health, obesity, nutrition, community gardens, homeless, underserved, and vulnerable populations.
COMP-NORTHWEST PARTICIPATION ON LOCAL BOARDS AND COALITIONS
- Linn County Coordinated Care Organization
- Coast to Cascade Wellness Network
- Community Health Promotion, Samaritan Health Services
- Linn County Oral Health Coalition
- Regional Oral Health Coalition
- Lebanon Health Career Ladder Board
- Linn County Department of Health Services
- Benton County Health Department
- Oregon State University Department of Public Health
- Oregon Public Health Association
- Lincoln County Health Department
OTHER UNIVERSITY EXAMPLES OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
- University of Maryland School of Medicine Community Engagement
- UMass Amherst Civic Engagement & Service-Learning
- Medical College of Wisconsin Instutional & Community Engagement
- University of Kansas Medical Center Institute for Community Engagement
- Stanford Medicine Office of Community Health
- UMiami Office of Civic & Community Engagement
Volunteer Opportunities
Community members are invited to contact us to discuss supporting our students in their volunteer community work.
You can also get a list of all COMP-Northwest student clubs.
Community Service Learning Partners
Contact Information
Jeannie Davis, EdD
Associate Director of Outreach and Strategic Partnerships