Health

Each semester, the Washington University Student Occupational Therapy Association has been able to improve the lives of many individuals in the St. Louis community. These projects include exploring areas of occupational therapy practice and volunteering within the community. Projects range from Accessibility of Schools in St. Louis, assessment of two school environments in St. Louis, to the Parkinson Disease Caregiver Education Series, a project where faculty and students develop curriculum of two classes to support the knowledge, skills, and emotional health of Parkinson patients’ caregivers.

The Center for Community Health Partnership & Research (CCHPR) reduces disparities and improves health and wellness in the region as it fosters meaningful engagement between communities and researchers.

Life Outside of Violence (LOV) helps those harmed by physical violence. Victims are able to receive treatment, support and resources needed to end the cycle of violence. Established in 2018, it is the first hospital-based intervention program in the nation to incorporate three research universities, including WashU, and four hospitals. St. Louis city and county residents ages 8-30 injured by gunshot, stabbing or blunt trauma are eligible for this program.

Student-led, patient-first. At the WashU Medicine Pro Bono Health Clinic, medical, occupational therapy, and physical therapy students team up to provide much-needed care to uninsured community members in the St. Louis area.

The Siteman Mammogram Van provides annual screening for women age 40 and over who have no signs or symptoms of breast cancer. This method provides efficient, private, and low-cost examination for patients. The van is placed at various St. Louis locations for optimal care.

The mission of SPOT (Supporting Positive Opportunities with Teens) is to increase access to health care for youth who have been disproportionately impacted by HIV, poverty, trauma, and discrimination. Providing physical and mental health services, this program from the Department of Pediatrics at WashU Medicine partners with youth to create safe and welcoming spaces for them to grow and achieve.

Project ARK at WashU Medicine provides prevention and service to those infected, affected, and at-rise of HIV. Through community education and outreach, Project ARK creates specialized programming to cater to queer and/or POC individuals. The program includes counseling, workshops, and testing services all at low-cost to the participants.

The St. Louis Fellows Program offers a 6-month civic leadership training to undergraduates who dedicate their summer to St. Louis. Students engage in an experiential curriculum to explore St. Louis’ history, culture, politics, challenges, and opportunities, and contribute to mission-critical work in the region through full-time nonprofit or civic internships.

The Civic Fellows Program is a 14-month civic leadership training with academic coursework and experiential learning, open for first-year and sophomore students to apply and earn eight course credits. It includes immersive opportunities in St. Louis and Washington DC to engage with local neighborhoods, the policy-making process, and civic change efforts in the region and across the country. During the summer, students engage in a Civic Summer project through a nonprofit internship or self-designed civic impact project that often takes place in partnership with St. Louis civic and community organizations.