Medical School: Beyond the Books

Though studying remains paramount, Stritch School of Medicine students are getting out from behind the books and making an impact by volunteering in their local Maywood community, across the Chicago area and around the world.

“Loyola is a place of service; it is the heartbeat of who we are and potential Loyola medical students are drawn to that. By the time they start here service is often already a priority in their lives,” said Virginia McCarthy, chaplain, Stritch University Ministry Center for Service & Global Health. “Volunteering helps them gain balance and perspective and is a nice break from studying.”

Locally, students take part in a variety of service opportunities throughout the year. They clean gutters and scrub desks to prepare schools to re-open in the fall. They serve meals to the homeless at local soup kitchens, spur on kids’ creativity through the Maywood Fine Arts Association and mentor youth struggling academically. They’ve also provided health screens to residents who attend the Maywood Farmers’ Market and several free health fairs.

Loyola students also are given the opportunity to raise funds to take part in international medical service trips. Nearly 70 students attended the annual Day of Service sponsored by the SSOM Ministry Center for Service & Global Health, which included a variety of service projects and a barbecue where students interacted with community leaders, learned how to get involved and about upcoming service opportunities.