BUSM Service PRIDE

Faculty Advisor:  Dr. Ann Zumwalt, azumwalt@bu.edu

Student Leadership:

Vision
Our vision is to become the first Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) specific service learning group at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. Service PRIDE will create an opportunity for BUSM medical students to mentor and build lasting relationships with LGBTQ adolescents, an often forgotten and vulnerable population in the LGBTQ community.

Mission
Our mission is to allow BUSM medical students to be a source of support for LGBTQ youth in the Boston and Greater Boston community. Not only will this provide BUSM medical students with a chance to interact with LGBTQ adolescents, but students will also gain more exposure to LGBTQ-specific and adolescent-specific issues.

Goal
Our initial goal is to have BUSM medical students host social activities with LGBTQ adolescents living at Waltham House. During these activities, Waltham House residents will have the opportunity to talk about their lives and challenges including LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ related issues. In turn, the medical students will have the opportunity to provide additional support and mentorship for the residents outside of what is currently offered in their program. Ultimately, it is our hope that by interacting with Waltham House residents, BUSM medical students will become better physicians by applying their experiences interacting with LGBTQ youth to their future medical career. We hope to expand community sites over future years.