Service Learning for Health symposium, 2007
Service-learning is a structured learning experience that integrates community service and classroom instruction to enhance learning by health professionals and students. Service-learning models engage students by providing opportunities to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to community-identified issues such as obesity, health disparities, family abuse, chemical dependency, and health education. It is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.
In 2007, academic and community partners of RHCP organized a service learning symposium to provide the opportunity for individuals representing community organizations, students, and educators to interact and explore the benefits of implementing service-learning into curricula. The symposium also aimed to promote collaboration and partnership between community organizations and schools with health profession curricula.