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CAMPOS students are required to perform 20 hours of service to the Latino community during their Foundation Phase of medical school as part of the Medical Spanish elective (CAMPOS class). The goal of the service requirement is to give students a richer understanding of this community and its needs. Travel time to and from the community service and any formalized training your receive in preparation for the event may be applied to the total hours; however, at least 50% of the 20 hours must be in direct service to the local Latino community.

CAMPOS has partnered with the North Carolina Farmworkers Program to provide students multiple opportunities to learn about and work with the migrant farmworker population. Details about the NCFWP will be covered in CAMPOS orientations scheduled for the beginning of each academic year. To document your service, please scroll to the bottom of this page.

The following are guidelines for service activities:

  • Service activities must be done in North Carolina or the United States. Service done as part of international travel does not count.
  • Service done as part of another course for which students get credit does not count.
  • Service for which students are receiving a stipend or any type of pay is not allowed.

Ways to get involved

Structured community service with the NCFWP will be provided through the CAMPOS program. Other activities exist to get involved and they are listed below. You can, of course, develop your own community service project if you choose. Your project must be pre-approved by CAMPOS faculty.

  • Latino Medical Student Association is a student organization at the School of Medicine with multiple ways to get involved, including monthly health fairs.
  • El Centro Hispano is a community organization based in Carrboro and Durham, NC that serves to improve the lives of the Hispanic/Latino community through its programs. Students give small charlas as part of the Latino Medical Students Association.
  • SALSA: Spanish-speakers Assisting Latinos Student Association
  • El Futuro: El Futuro is a community-based nonprofit organization that seeks to transform Latino-serving mental health care in North Carolina and beyond. They provide bilingual and culturally-responsive mental health services including therapy, psychiatry, substance use treatment, and case management in a welcoming environment of healing and hope.
  • National Association of Medical Spanish (NAMS): National Association of Medical Spanish (NAMS) is an interdisciplinary group of highly qualified professionals in the field of Medicine and Language. They are working together to improve health equity, patient safety, quality of care for Spanish-speaking patients, and physician communication skills.
  • Student Health Action Coalition (SHAC) is the oldest student-run health clinic in the country. You can help Spanish-speaking patients while practicing your medical Spanish and clinical skills.

Documenting your service

Please complete the CAMPOS Community Service Form (on one45) for each service activity you perform. Email with any questions.