PMC Award

The Medicine in the Community Program of the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara School of Medicine recently received a Special National Award for service in the community. The President of Mexico, Vicente Fox Quesada and his wife, Martha Sahagún, presented the award at the National Volunteer Awards 2002 at the official residency of the Mexican President, Los Pinos. Dr Juan José Jáuregui Lomeli, Director of the program, received the award in representation of the UAG School of Medicine.

The Medicine in the Community Program received this award in recognition of the immense impact that this program provides in medical service to urban and rural areas in Mexico. President Fox stated that this program has surpassed the goals of the academic requirements by attracting volunteers to the clinics and most importantly. by providing physicians to the community.

The Medicine in the Community Program was formed in 1973 and is focused in providing healthcare to communities in urban and rural areas that do not have access to health services. At the present time there are 17 community clinics that the program serves. The School of Medicine students rotate through these clinics beginning in their first semester. It provides excellent opportunities for hands-on with Spanish-speaking patients. Students attending the Medical Spanish Course also participate in this program.

The National Volunteer Awards were founded in 2001 to celebrate the International Year of Volunteers. The Awards are divided into three categories, Juvenile, Adult and Group volunteers.