MedStar Washington Hospital Center
In addition to providing food pantry services across Washington, D.C., Bread for the City provides primary care services for thousands of underserved, underinsured and uninsured individuals living in the District and has been doing so since 1974. In 2016 alone, Bread for the City saw more than 2,700 patients, totaling more than 12,000 visits
MedStar Health is invested in training future physicians, nurses and other clinical leaders, and equipping them with training opportunities that provide exposure to the diverse needs of the populations they will care for. Each year, 12 resident physicians at MedStar Washington Hospital Center rotate through Bread for the City’s clinic to learn about how social determinants of health play a role in the overall wellness of the patient and impact the care and services patients need. To date, more than 25 resident physicians have participated.
“The Bread for the City clinic provides an opportunity for residents to understand that medical care—though important—is only one of many contributors to the well-being of the patient,” explains Nnenna Oluigbo, MD, internal medicine physician at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Her residents are among the individuals who participate in the rotations.
The rotation is meant to enhance residents’ clinical skills in an outpatient setting, while teaching them how to identify, understand and address the health needs of low-income individuals and families. The medical residents have a one-month rotation each year at the Bread for the City clinic where they gain invaluable experience in a community-based care setting.
“This training prepares the next generation of physicians to address the public health and social issues that impact their patients’ health, such as housing, education, neighborhood conditions, and socio-economic status,” says Dr. Oluigbo.
