More than 175 Portland-area women received a free screening for cervical cancer as part of a community outreach program developed by the OHSU's Center for Women's Health and Anne Nedrow, MD, Medical Director of Women's Primary Care at the Center. 

The program, which has thus far held two screening events, relies heavily upon donations from the community and volunteer commitment. Physicians within the School of Medicine performed the cervical screening and clinical breast exams, while medical students performed other wellness screenings at the concurrent health fair. 

Mimi Choate, a fourth-year MD/MPH student, volunteered as a medical assistant. Choate, who plans to go into family medicine, said, "My reasons for volunteering for this event were twofold: I definitely feel a calling to work with the underserved and I hope I get to make that a part of my practice. Most of the women who I saw here were uninsured or underinsured. Also, this was a good opportunity for me to continue to get clinical experience during my MPH year." Choate, who speaks Spanish, also interpreted for women who spoke little or no English.  

Jennifer Brewer, a second year MD student, volunteered at the first screening event. "I believe that preventive medicine is so important; unfortunately, many people can only access this care at free events such as these," Brewer said. 

Physician assistant students, such as Veronica Espinoza (pictured) also volunteered at the health fair.