Volunteer Work in Dermatology
By Dr. Cather McKay “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” — Mahatma Gandhi Most physicians were drawn to medicine by the desire to help others. Volunteer work can fulfill our altruistic need and challenge our clinical skills in settings with limited resources. There are opportunities to give back around the corner or around the world, depending on your interests, goals, and availability. Local Opportunities Volunteering in your community is often the best place to start. You may wish to partner with an established charity clinic or host an event in conjunction with a larger organization. Find local free or sliding scale clinics through the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics . Volunteer work could include treating patients at the charity clinic or seeing referrals in your clinic at no or discounted cost. Alternatively, utilizing programs already in place through the groups below, among others, allows you