Serving where we stand : specialty health care clinics and community engagement at a faith-based, urban anchor institution

Kerrick, Lizzie A. Anchor institutions play a vital role in their local communities and economies and have increasingly been expected to become active civic participants in improving health and well-being in their surrounding neighborhoods. This multicase study was conducted to understand how an urban, faith-based university's on-campus health care clinics engage with the community and how they support the overall anchor mission of the university. The study reviewed three on-campus, specialty health care clinics and addressed the following questions: What services do the clinics provide and to whom? What is each clinic’s mission, current initiatives, and goals? How do these services and initiatives align with the principles of community engagement? In what ways are the current initiatives contributing to the overall anchor mission of the University based on goals outlined in the Carnegie Classification of Community Engagement? All three clinics serve uninsured and underinsured members of the immediate, surrounding, and nearby suburban communities of St. Ignatius University and have dual aims of serving the community and providing professional training to future clinicians. The services and initiatives of the clinics align with many of the principles of community engagement, demonstrating a commitment to best practice in university-community partnerships. A lack of assessment and community feedback uncovers an opportunity to strengthen community engagement. Using the Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement as an assessment tool, the data show how the on-campus health care clinics support the overall anchor mission of the university and alignment with institution-wide vision and values. The study concludes with a discussion of implications for higher education leaders and university-community engagement practices.

Grantor dc:publisher

Alverno College

Year dc:date

2024

Author dc:creator

• Kerrick, Elizabeth A.

• Academic medical centers
• Universities and colleges--Public services
• Anchor institution
• Anchor mission
• Community engagement
• Community partnerships
• University health care clinics

Statement dc:rights

• These materials may be used by individuals and libraries for personal use, research, teaching (including distribution to classes), or for any fair use as defined by U.S. Copyright Law.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://alverno.omeka.net/items/show/925

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:alverno.omeka.net:925