WMed students currently are raising funds for two student-led philanthropy projects.
Street Medicine Kalamazoo
Street Medicine Kalamazoo (SMKzoo) was established in 2021 at WMed to provide medical care to unhoused individuals in Kalamazoo. SMKzoo strives to serve as a medical home for unhoused patients, providing comprehensive and coordinated services, thus improving access to care and healthcare outcomes for the unhoused. Through weekly street clinics conducted in encampments, shelters, and other locations throughout Kalamazoo, SMKzoo has become an established presence for on-site delivery of essential primary care services to more than 250 unhoused patients. Consider supporting them with a charitable gift that will assist them in purchasing medical equipment, first aid and hygiene kits, a mobile clinic, and more to fulfill their mission.
Kalamazoo Sees: Eye Care for the Unhoused
Access to quality vision care is an important aspect of health for individuals experiencing homelessness. Recognizing this need, the Ophthalmology Interest Group (OIG) is launching 'Kalamazoo Sees: Eye Care for the Unhoused', an initiative dedicated to expanding access to essential eye screenings within the Kalamazoo community.
Through this project, OIG aims to provide eye screenings at local shelters and outreach events. The group is currently raising funds to acquire initial eye screening equipment, including USee Vision kits and lenses to complete basic eye exams. We are also raising funds for second phase equipment including Tono-Pens for measuring intraocular pressure and indirect ophthalmoscopes for evaluating the retina and vasculature of the eye. These tools will enable detection of conditions such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and hypertensive retinopathy, which disproportionately affect medically underserved populations. This equipment will also provide students with hands-on training and experience in ophthalmic care. Please consider donating today to support this cause.
Garden Interest Group
The Garden Interest Group (GIG) was established by students in 2022. Their mission is to create a community garden at the W.E. Upjohn M.D. Campus to provide food to vulnerable populations in Kalamazoo, promote sustainability, and integrate nutrition with medicine. Consider supporting this project with a charitable gift that will support the purchase of gardening equipment, seeds, fertilizer, upgrades to the planter boxes, and more.
More Information
Your gifts to these initiatives will directly benefit these Student Led Philanthropy Projects. All contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.