Amigos Medicos Oakland-Macomb

When Serafin Rodriguez-Leon visited a Shelby Township clinic in October, he was all smiles.

Sure, there was good news about his bloodwork, but there were other reasons for his grin.

First, the free community clinic meant he could get the treatment he sought, even without insurance, and not far from where he lives.

Also, the students who run the clinic — from Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine — are “very kind.” He trusts them because they speak Spanish.

In short, going to the doctor was a very positive experience.

 “It’s one of the best things that could have happened to the community,” Rodriguez-Leon said through a translator. “It’s special because I don’t speak English. It’s very important to be able to communicate with my physician in Spanish. It’s been a great help for me.”

Welcome to Amigos Medicos Oakland-Macomb.

Launched in early 2024 by the OUWB Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA), the clinic is held monthly at Trinity Community Care.

Offered by appointment primarily to members of the Hispanic community, the clinic offers primary care to patients on the third Saturday of every month.

The origins of the clinic trace to a similar version started by LMSA’s counterparts at Wayne State University School of Medicine, according to Christian Santiago, an M3 who was part of LMSA’s executive board when the clinic started.

There, students worked with Rudy Gomez, M.D., a physician from Henry Ford Health, to establish an option for patients in Detroit.

He’s done the same thing with OUWB students, only up the road in Shelby Township.  

“We are always striving to get more Hispanic patients taken care of,” Gomez said in a short break during the October clinic. “This is a beautiful opportunity to help these patients, but also get the medical students that have Spanish-speaking abilities to use those skills in the exact field they’re preparing to work in.”

A team of OUWB medical students and physicians collaborate at the clinic.

Amber Scarletta, executive director, Trinity Community Care, said OUWB students who run the free community clinic are “very eager to learn and passionate about what they’re doing.”

“It’s nice to see how hard they work and how much they care about patients,” she said. “They make the patients feel really welcome.”

The onsite doctors are Gomez and Aleida Rivera, M.D., assistant professor, and family medicine physician, Corewell Health Family Medicine – Parkside in Oxford.

Working with the volunteer students, they review patient information and discuss treatment plans.

Students are on their own when taking patient histories.

Sabrina Lee, M3, was the OUWB student primarily working with Rodriguez-Leon during his October visit. She is just one of many students who said they are truly passionate about the clinic.

Lee, who grew up in Costa Rica and moved to the U.S. at 18, said that even though she is plenty busy with her clerkships and the rigors of being a third-year medical student, it’s a priority for her to volunteer regularly at the clinic.

“I want to use my bilingual skills to serve the community because the Hispanic people hold a special place in my heart,” she said.

It’s especially meaningful, said Lee, because it helps fills a gap for minorities who live in the U.S.

“Not only is there a language gap, but many are uninsured and don’t have access to health care,” she said. “Offering linguistically and culturally adaptable care that’s free is the perfect piece for them.”

Emilia Rodriguez Espinoza, M2, is current president of LMSA. She said there’s one clear indication that the program is accomplishing what it set out to do.

“The fact that patients keep coming to see us again is a testament to how we are helping them with whatever they might be dealing with in terms of health,” she said. “They’re extremely appreciative. We’ve had patients who’ve wanted to bring us food and repay us back in any way that they possibly can.”

Among those who have visited the clinic more than once is Lenssay Jimenez.

Like Rodriguez-Leon, she visited the clinic in October. She, too, was there for a bloodwork follow-up and said she doesn’t have insurance.

“Sometimes it’s hard to find clinics that will help you with what you need, but at this one they have everything you need,” she said.

She sees big things ahead for the OUWB students who volunteer, too.

“With the results (of the bloodwork), I didn’t understand at first,” said Jimenez. “But she explained it to me very clearly what I can do to get better.”

“The OUWB medical students are friendly, and I like the way they communicate with people,” she said. “I can see them becoming great doctors.”