In light of a growing recognition in Canada that student-run health clinics are a sustainable model for service delivery and experiential learning, the University of Manitoba, at the initiative of its students and in collaboration with Mount Carmel Clinic, established the Winnipeg Interprofessional Student-run Health (WISH) Clinic within the Point Douglas Community in March 2009.

The vision for the WISH Clinic is to provide non-judgmental, socially responsible, holistic healthcare to a population that struggles with poorer health than the rest of the city. Winnipeg’s Point Douglas Community was identified as the area in Winnipeg with the poorest overall health and the highest level of poverty.

The WISH Clinic operates weekly clinics as well as community events. These include workshops and seminars on various topics related to health and wellness and special health programming days such as a blood pressure screening day and a diabetes awareness. Additionally, social services, including access to computers and the Internet, the use of a free phone, and a gathering place for people in the community to come sit, relax, visit with friends and feel safe are provided.

Community members are also invited to come in and enjoy meals at the WISH Clinic. The meals consist of fruits and vegetables, juice, water, tea and coffee and a hot or cold dish. Some examples include: chili and corn bread, beef soup and bannock, chicken and vegetable pasta, Oriental salad, sandwiches and many more.  All recipes are designed to encourage healthy eating and healthy food choices.

Health care is provided by post-secondary students and licensed professional mentors from a broad range of disciplines that includes but is not limited to, Dental Hygiene, Dentistry, Dietetics, Medical Rehabilitation, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work, and Spiritual Care. WISH mentors consist of faculty members from the University of Manitoba Health Science programs as well as a staff physician, nurse and medical clerk. Students from all disciplines work as social representatives at the clinic, in which capacity they interact and socialize with clinic patients who are waiting to be seen.

Your support provides our students with collaborative learning opportunities, an awareness of inner city issues, social needs, and the medical concerns of this community. You also aid the underserved people of the Point Douglas community by providing them with a wealth of healthcare opportunities that they would otherwise be unable to find.