SHAC provides health safety net

In 2024, about 800 students from Carolina’s health profession programs cared for 700 people from Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Durham through Student Health Action Coalition clinics.

Begun in 1967 as the nation’s first student-run free clinic, SHAC helps underserved populations. The group treats patients primarily at Carrboro Community Health Center, where it also operates a pharmacy. Dental care is by appointment at the UNC Adams School of Dentistry.

SHAC also partners with other area clinics and communities to develop programs like health and exercise classes, health fairs and education sessions.

“We’re serving people in the community that are at risk of falling through the gaps in the health care system,” said Phil Rodgers, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy SHAC faculty adviser. “We’re one of those safety net opportunities for patients. We’re helping keep those individuals healthy and out of the emergency room and out of the hospital.”

Real-life career preparation

The volunteers who run SHAC come from many schools: dentistry, global public health, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, social work and business. Some major in specialties like physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language pathology.

The clinic experience helps students improve skills and prepare for careers. Over the past year, 263 UNC School of Medicine students have worked in the clinic. Students take samples for medical tests, discuss medication changes, and stock and dispense medication to patients.

Pharmacy students work alongside medical students and enroll patients in assistance programs to help with medication costs and prepare written prescriptions for patients. Kylie Lewis ’22, a third-year pharmacy school student and the school’s SHAC president, appreciates the opportunity to grow relationships with other schools as part of clinic work.

Outside of their weekly clinic shifts, pharmacy students provide blood pressure screenings and medication information for those getting meals at Durham’s Urban Ministries. They also provide screening for blood pressure and blood sugar at St. Thomas More Church and share information on how to use SHAC.

Around 80 dentistry students participate yearly, providing primary and secondary preventive care. Dental students do restorations and extractions, and dental hygiene students provide cleanings.

“The most rewarding part of working with the clinic is providing patients with dental services.  I am at a point where I have the skills to give people their confidence back or relieve someone’s pain,” said fourth-year dental student Jordan Rogers.

This spring, 38 nursing students are working at the clinic. They take specimens and process labs, vaccinate patients and provide information and referrals.

Breaking down language barriers

SHAC volunteers often need help when interacting with their non-English speaking patients. To assist, 50 students serve on the SHAC Mandarin interpreting team, translating communication between caregivers and patients. Others volunteer as Spanish interpreters.

Stephanie Li, a senior who is double-majoring in psychology as well as human development and family science, is director of the SHAC Mandarin interpreting team. She joined SHAC her first year, when translating the benefits of a COVID-19 vaccine was a top priority. She fell in love with the process and has spent much of her college career making sure a language barrier doesn’t stand in the way of people receiving quality health care.

Recently, Li received a MacDonald Community Fellowship, which she will use to develop a training website for future team members. She looks forward to continuing collaboration with area community partners and recently worked with the Orange County Department on Aging in providing translation services for programs offered to older adults.

“More than anything, I want to provide chances for Chinese-speaking students to practice their language and use it to better serve the community,” Li said.