Grenada Student Renovation Update

 This past May, the SOM completed renovations to the student living and educational areas at UMMC Grenada Hospital. The final piece of the two-year project was the addition of audio and visual capabilities to the newly built classroom. A large monitor with virtual meeting capabilities was added to the space, to keep students participating in a rural Grenada clerkship engaged with didactics back in Jackson. Two PC workstations were also placed in the room, for student educational activities. 

The renovation project was started by converting unused patient rooms into “dorm” rooms for students while they lived in Grenada for a voluntary rural clerkship.  A student lounge space and small kitchenette was later added. The finished classroom completes the project.  This work was fully funded by a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant awarded to the SOM, IMPACT the RACE. IMPACT the RACE is focused on enhancing rural medical education, with a goal to increase the number of primary care providers in rural Mississippi communities.  By participating in rural clerkships, students are exposed to the challenges (and gratification) of practicing in underserved communities. 

Currently, M3 students can elect to complete a portion of their Surgery and Pediatrics rotations at UMMC Grenada Hospital. The SOM is working with other UMMC departments to set up additional clerkship offerings in Grenada.