Community Outreach Project

Committed to Promoting Careers in the Health Sector

Rumour has it that students in the health sciences are so swamped with their studies that they don’t have time to be socially committed. This is obviously just another urban legend, as can be seen by the tremendous energy exhibited by the 65 members of the Community Outreach Project (COP), all students in the faculties of medicine and dentistry at McGill University. Established six years ago, the group is actively involved in promoting social commitment and encouraging future health professionals to get involved today and take concrete action.

To attain their goal, the COP targeted four areas of activity where success is based on team spirit. First of all, the students toured high schools in the Montréal area throughout the school year hosting information sessions. They discussed such topics as how to go about applying to enrol in a faculty of medicine, a physician’s role in modern society and the career options available in the health care sector.

Then, during reading week as a follow-up to the information sessions, the COP organized two days of workshops called Vis la médecine et les carrières de la santé during which teachers and professionals from the fields of medicine, dentistry, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and nursing hosted workshops attended by more than 140 Secondary 5 students. The students were paired with COP volunteers who, among other things, showed them around a laboratory as well as the McGill University dental clinic.

“The young people had the chance to participate in dental reconstruction lab work, make a prosthesis using thermoplastics and take part in physical therapy exercises under the supervision of professionals,” points out the group’s coordinator Mino Mitri.

Another activity that the COP is especially proud of is the Escouade de la santé, which offers elementary school students from Grades 3 to 6 interactive seminars accompanied by demonstrations. A number of subjects are examined including dental hygiene, exercise, nutrition, the prevention of risk behaviour with respect to alcohol, drugs and tobacco, and finally puberty and sexuality. “Besides transmitting information, the project also seeks to expose young people to situations they may have to face sooner or later. We are convinced that early awareness is the best way to guard against making the wrong choices,” the coordinator goes on to say.

Finally, although the information and awareness activities remain essential, the L’esprit du temps des fêtes event is without doubt the big winner. Throughout the year, the COP organizes various fund-raising activities in order to offer gifts and a few special treats to students at an elementary school in an underprivileged neighbourhood for Christmas. This year alone, more than 75 gifts were handed out.

“The children were delighted by the COP’s visit and, judging by the sparkle in their eyes, it is something they will remember for a long time to come. Every year, the teachers who participate ardently hope the activity will be renewed the following year,” asserts Claude Neveu, the principal of Victor-Rousselot elementary school.

Community Outreach Project