LionCare, founded in January 2002, is a free clinic run and staffed by medical students from Penn State College of Medicine. We are dedicated to providing free health services to the uninsured and underinsured population of the greater Harrisburg region and to also provide an engaging educational experience for our students.
The clinic is located at the Bethesda Mission, a shelter committed to long-term drug and alcohol rehabilitation for its residents. It is located at 611 Reily St. in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17102.
See LionCare information for clients
Jump to topic
Search
General Information
The clinic is located at the Bethesda Mission, a shelter committed to long-term drug and alcohol rehabilitation for its residents. It is located at 611 Reily St. in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17102.
Each student and a partner will be responsible for all aspects of patient care. Student volunteers will arrive to clinic 15 minutes before it opens to familiarize themselves with LionCare policies and procedures.
The LionCare team is also involved in health education, including producing health awareness presentations and patient information bulletins. Educational information regarding women’s health issues and parenting skills are provided to patients both at the time of visit and through educational talks given at the shelters.
Students who are interested in being involved with any of those initiatives should contact the group.
All LionCare-participating students should dress in a professional manner, as they will be seeing and interacting with patients and their families. Students should not wear any jeans or shorts, T-shirts or anything inappropriate. White coats are not needed.
Students should bring their stethoscope and ID.
The patient population at LionCare is varied, but many of our patients struggle with ailments not often seen at the hospital. There is a high incidence of drug and alcohol abuse, mental illness, addiction, STIs, and many chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus.
All medical and physician assistant students at Penn State College of Medicine are encouraged to volunteer.
Signups are generally opened three times a year (fall, spring and summer) with an additional waitlist. LionCare leadership works to make sure that every student has an opportunity to volunteer.
Every first-year student is paired with a second-year student and is under supervision of an attending physician. This is an opportunity for first-years to practice newly learned interviewing skills and for second-years to review. The attending physician supervises and ensures that proper patient care is provided.
For details on the student’s role at the clinic, see the patient information page.