DC Students Volunteer at Cleveland Free Medical and Dental Clinic

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Dr. Elizabeth Collardey and thirteen service leaders and social work students from Defiance College recently traveled to Cleveland to work with Medworks, a free medical and dental clinic. Medworks and its community partners provide more than 2,300 appointments and services to uninsured and underinsured patients. Dr. Collardey and students worked with staff and patients to provide assistance in many different forms, including learning the medical procedures and providing a substantial portion of the discharge planning during their time at the clinic.

The event teamed the group with 2004 alumnae Rebecca Sanford and Jessica
(Potter) Demaline who also assisted at the clinic. Sanford currently serves as the president of the Ohio Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and Demaline is the Region I director for the Ohio Chapter. Working with Sanford and Demaline gave students a chance to talk to the alums about their experiences as well as debrief and process the students' work at the clinic.

Defiance College, chartered in 1850, is an independent, liberal arts institution in Northwest Ohio offering more than 40 undergraduate programs of study as well as graduate programs in education and business. Defiance College has received national recognition for its educational experience of service and engagement. The college website is www.defiance.edu.

November 18, 2010