bethelfall2016work

“They’re expressing what their needs are, so it’s up to us to provide some of those options.” - Annette McDonald, Access Family Services

“Anytime where you can spread awareness and do prevention work, it always makes a huge difference.” - Annette McDonald “I think it’s deƒnitely more empowering for them to get the information,” McDonald says. Two-way street While certainly providing a much-needed service for Bethel’s clients, the medical students also leave

the sessions with some valuable hands-on experience they can use in their future work as medical professionals. “It’s a beneƒt to the medical students because it gets them out of the medical school and into the community,” McDonald says. “What better way to connect than to be in the community where the people are, and to learn ƒrsthand what some of those needs are and how you can provide some of those services?” While medical students receive a

beneƒt from the program, the focus is on the clients. McDonald says they’ve seen the groups grow each week and she’s encouraged to see clients making medical appointments and taking control of their health. She says she hopes the program can continue long into the future to supply people with the critical information they need to improve their lives. “Anytime where you can spread awareness and do prevention work, it always makes a huge di€erence.” 61