About DOCS

A significant obstacle to the well-being of our society is lack of access to quality health care. South Florida is one of the poorest urban area in the United States, with almost a third of our residents living below the poverty level based on the 2012 US Census. Miami-Dade County has over 400,000 residents without insurance (20% of its population), and a large residing immigrant population. The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (UMMSM) recognizes this issue, and the student body consistently seeks ways to serve as a community partner. In recognition of this, UMMSM was the first recipient of the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) Outstanding Community Service Award in 1993.

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Former UM Students attending the AAMC meeting on November 1993 to accept the award in recognition of outstanding community service.

An important component of our students’ commitment to community service began in 1971 when UMMSM students, guided by founder Iris Keim, started a health fair in Big Pine Key, Florida. This fair flourished due to its popularity in the community and the medical school. It served a dual purpose by providing health care to the underserved, while providing invaluable learning experiences for students. Over thirty-five years later, with that first health fair site ongoing, the project expanded and evolved into the The Mitchell Wolfson Sr. Department of Community Service (DOCS).

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Founder and Advisor of the Big Pine Key project, Iris Kiem, MPH, with original Faculty Advisor, Tim Schachner, MD, and UM students.
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Founded in 2000, the UM DOCS is a student run, non-profit organization endorsed by the UMMSM administration. In 2006, DOCS received a generous donation to officially be renamed as the Mitchell Wolfson Sr. Department of Community Service. Last year, DOCS brought health screening and educational services to over 1,800 patients through the volunteer efforts of over 300 medical students and 50 physicians. This year we estimate at least 2,000 patients will be served. The Mitchell Wolfson Sr. DOCS holds 10 annual fairs in various communities throughout Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Broward counties, with an additional 4 free clinics operating for these medically underserved populations. We screen for the most prevalent diseases in our community including; hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, vision loss, obesity, and depression, as well as colon, breast, cervical, and skin cancers. Using a referral system of free clinics, we also act as a portal for entry to care for those patients identified to be at risk.

Although the manpower behind DOCS is provided by the generosity of our students, faculty, and staff volunteers, there are still significant operating costs involved with bringing free health care to our own community. If you wish to donate funds or supplies to our cause, please click here.

Mission Statement: DOCS, enlisting the participation of students and physicians of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is dedicated to providing quality healthcare to the underserved populations in South Florida through:

  • Leading: Fostering students’ leadership abilities among peers, colleagues and patients.
  • Training: Through practical experience, each participating student will demonstrate proficiency in the clinical skills to be performed.
  • Educating: Realizing the importance of not only educating ourselves, but also our patients and the communities in which they live.

The Mission of DOCS supports the overarching Mission of UMMSM:

  • To provide excellence in medical education.
  • To expand medical knowledge through research.
  • To provide high-quality care to those who need it.
  • To be a community partner.

If you wish to contact us, please click here.