Medical students bridging care and community
“The Somali population often experiences elevated rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease,” said Yahya Abdulrahman, a second-year student at the University of Minnesota Medical School and a board member of the U of M Chapter of the Somali American Medical Association (SAMA).
The mobile health clinic, in collaboration with SAMA, played a significant role in celebrating Somali Independence Day by offering free health services to the community. As part of the Mobile Health Initiative, the clinic provided health screenings, over-the-counter medications, and health education during the Somali Week Festival.
“We anticipated a large turnout at the festival,” Abdulrahman explained. “Our main goal was to help as many people as possible find out if they have diabetes, prediabetes, or high blood pressure, and ensure they follow up with their primary care physician.”
In addition to screenings, the students placed a strong emphasis on education. “We focused on explaining A1C levels, diabetes, high blood pressure, and what the numbers mean for a Somali individual,” said Aliya Hajyusuf, a second-year medical student and SAMA member. “As Somali-speaking medical students, we translated forms and charts into Somali and ensured people understood everything, answering questions and breaking it down in a way that made sense.”
For the medical students involved, the event was more than just an opportunity to gain clinical experience—it was about building connections with the Somali community.
“There's such a long road ahead of us with our medical training, and being able to give back to the community so early in our training has been such a rewarding experience. And we're really grateful that we were able to make this happen,” added Warda Mohamed, another second-year student and SAMA member.
Their participation highlights the students' dedication to improving community health and addressing disparities in healthcare access, reflecting a broader mission of medical education, where compassion and service are key parts of being healthcare providers.
“Our goal is to raise more awareness. We’re not only focused on advocacy and community work but also on building connections between healthcare providers, physicians, residents, and students,” said Tasneem Issa, a second-year medical student and SAMA member. “One of the upcoming events is the IANA convention in collaboration with the Islamic Association of North America (IANA) to bring health screenings and medical education to their annual convention. IANA has been one of our key community partners, working closely with both SAMA and the Mobile Health Initiative. We are also expecting a strong turnout for this event as well.”
The students’ passion for helping others shined through as they provided care and education. “We’ve been working with medical students as well as dental, nursing, and pharmacy students at community health events, providing screenings for people who might not otherwise seek care,” said Jonathan Kirsch, MD, assistant professor at the U of M Medical School and medical lead for the Mobile Health Initiative. “Because these events happen in familiar settings, the typical power dynamic of the medical system is flipped, making it easier for people to engage.”
The Mobile Health Initiative’s involvement at the Somali Independence Day Festival showcases where trust, cultural understanding, and education come together to make a lasting impact.
People involved:
Salman Ali: President of SAMA
Aliya Hajyusuf: Community Outreach
Tasneem Issa: Social Media/Events Coordinator
Khalid Abdalla: Peer Mentorship Chair
Warda Mohamed: Curriculum Enhancement
Yahya Abdulrahman: Curriculum Enhancement
Hussein Bare: Physician Mentorship
Jonathan Kirsch, MD: Medical Lead
Maggie Eckerstorfer: Operations Manager
Erin Nagagaki: Volunteer and Event Coordinator