JSMBS Unofficial Handbook

Free Clinics in Buffalo

(By Lynn Yen, 2009, updated by Jennifer DiMuro, 2012)

​

My goal in writing this article is that by the end of your first year, you won’t look back on your CPM experience feeling that you learned practically nothing.   At some point in the year, you may find yourself thinking, “I don’t do anything at preceptor.” Or, if you know of someone else who feels this way, then I hope that you would refer yourself or the other individual back to this article.

One of the significant, yet often underutilized, advantages of attending medical school in Buffalo is that it is the second largest city in New York with a need for physicians, and you happen to attend the only medical institution available to provide services.   This leaves you with a number of options for free clinics to attend, and in each clinic, you will have nearly full independence under the guidance of UB Faculty.

With so many different clinics, how do you choose one in which to become involved?   I suggest using
your first semester to get a “taste” of each, and to sign up for a session in each one of the many sign-up opportunities
that will go around.   A fair warning: these opportunities go fast!   Be sure to check your e-mail regularly so that you
don’t miss them.   If you do find yourself missing a lot of opportunities, have no fear.   Around second semester,
attendance starts to wane, and you will find opportunities abound at nearly every clinic.   The point is to find one
clinic that you really connect with and enjoy, so that in second year, you will be able to dedicate your time to that
clinic more regularly.

If you are cynical, you might be thinking, “So, what’s in it for me?”   Lots!   First year CPM exams are all about taking histories and doing physicals.   You may have a discouraging preceptorship or one that doesn’t quite fulfill certain assignments. Even if you do have an amazing preceptor experience, you will really enjoy the significant extra practice offered at these clinics.   On top of all this, in working with these populations, you will understand more about the Buffalo community and its hardships.

One final thought: if you happen to be an individual who is limited in transportation options (your feet),
don’t allow this to hold you back from these experiences!   You will go crazy spending all your time in Amherst.
Every one of these clinics is readily accessible through public transportation (indicated in the directions below).   In addition, going to these clinics is a fantastic way to discover Buffalo and to see its communities.   You will soon discover how diverse the city really is.

 

• Cornerstone Manor Clinic

 

The Cornerstone Manor is a shelter for homeless women and their children.   The clinic provides medical care for the residents on a weekly basis. They see adult women on Thursday afternoons, and their children on Wednesday mornings.  The majority of your work at the clinic will be to screen incoming women, renew medications, or make referrals as necessary.  Be prepared, however, as many of these women carry tragic life stories to have arrived where they are today.

 

Website: http://buffalomission.org/html/cornerstone.html

Location: 45 Carlton Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
Times vary between Tuesday/Thursday, either mornings 9-11, or afternoons 1:30-3:30.

​

• Friends of the Night People

 

This clinic is adjunct to the Friends of the Night soup kitchen that runs downstairs.  The staff of Friends
of the Night are tremendously friendly and dedicated to their work, and members will be sure to chat with you while you wait. The clinic serves a primarily homeless population, although some patients from the nearby Allentown community also visit. It sometimes offers the services of an ophthalmologist and podiatrist. You work pretty much independently at this clinic, taking the history, doing the physical exam, and presenting to the rotating doctor.    The MDs and PAs that volunteer there are amazing.   They are extremely friendly and are great at teaching you new skills.  It is very casual, only takes two hours of your day, and is located right near Elmwood (so you can go out after).

 

Website: http://www.friendsofnightpeople.com/index.html/

Location: 394 Hudson St.  Buffalo, NY 14201

Open the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month, from 4:45-7:00PM.

​

• Jericho Road Refugee Clinic

 

Jericho Road Refugee Clinic is, as the name implies, a clinic for people who have just moved to the United States from abroad.  The refugees who come to the clinic get free check-ups, vaccinations, and guidance from medical professionals in their new hometown, Buffalo.  For you, that means an exceptional opportunity to meet fascinating families from all over the world speaking different languages, practicing different religions, and bursting with culture!  In the increasingly global society we live in, you will no doubt find yourself meeting people from a variety of backgrounds when you become a medical doctor; it’s one of the great privileges of our profession!  At Jericho Road, you will have the opportunity to start interacting with patients from all around the world in a low stress, fun, and caring environment.  We'd love to see you soon at Jericho Road!

 

For more information, contact Heidi or Mojdeh at hmg6@buffalo.edu or mskappus@buffalo.edu.

​

• Lighthouse Free Medical Clinic

 

Lighthouse is an entirely student-run and student-managed free clinic.   It serves the Buffalo East Side, and is the only local healthcare facility open for the residents of the area.  In the clinic, you will find yourself diagnosing illnesses and providing physicals for work or school.   You will most likely follow a second year during your first semester, but around the end of second semester, you’ll be on your own.  A number of UB faculty rotate through the clinic, but you will experience a tremendous amount of independence while precepting with them. The Lighthouse Clinic offers a variety of services that are adjunct to the clinic. It offers an Insurance Initiative that hooks eligible un-insured patients up with some form of insurance: Medicaid, Child Health Plus, or Family Health Plus. Lighthouse Goes Lite is a nutrition grant that runs a monthly nutrition seminar for patients while they wait for their appointment.   Both of these services are great ways to interact more with the patient population and to find out more about the severe needs in the community.  These are opportunities to see the aspects of healthcare and health management beyond the examination room.

 

Location: 1323 Jefferson Ave, Buffalo, NY 14208. Open every Wednesday night, 6-8PM.

Website: http://wings.buffalo.edu/smbs/polityorg/lhc/

Clinic: lighthouse@gmail.com

​

• Lighthouse Insurance Initiative

 

The Lighthouse Insurance Initiative was started in order to help our patients at the Lighthouse Free Medical Clinic find a more long-term solution for their health care needs.  Each Wednesday at the Lighthouse Clinic, we help determine if patients who come to Lighthouse clinic are eligible for Medicaid, Family Health Plus, and Child Health Plus.  If patients  are  eligible,  we  assist  them  with  filling  out  the  application  and  advise  them  as  to  what documentation to include. We also help those who are not eligible for these services to find affordable health insurance.

We work closely with a social worker who specializes in Medicaid, Family Health Plus, and Child Health Plus.   In addition, we attend community health fairs at local churches and community centers to continue to reach out to the health insurance needs of the people of Buffalo. Volunteers will be needed Wednesdays from 6-8pm, and we will send an e-mail requesting volunteers in the fall.

 

• The Refugee Program Clinic

This is an amazing program which I hope will still be offered in your year.   You precept under either Dr. Kim Griswold or Dr. Myron Glick.   Here, you perform what is frequently the first screening of a refugee family, working with a translation service.

Website: http://www.refugeehealth.com/
Times and location subject to change.

​