Giving back and getting involved in the community

The Internal Medicine Residency Program encourages community engagement by incorporating the community into the learning curriculum. Residents have the opportunity to work with free clinics in the Columbus area. Local service and international electives enhance cultural awareness and competency.

Our Administration

Underserved patient care

At Ohio State, we take care of patients from many different socioeconomic backgrounds. Approximately 38% of our inpatients at the main hospital and the OSU East campus come from outside Franklin County, mainly from central and southern Ohio. Over 50% of our patients (both inpatient and outpatient) have Medicaid, Medicare or are self pay.

International health experience

Residents have the opportunity to join a mission abroad to practice health care on the worldwide underserved population. Current residents and recent graduates have joined health care missions in Thailand, Malawi and Honduras. The College of Medicine’s Office of Global Health Education has an abundance of resources to help plan such trips. Travel scholarships are available through the Department of Internal Medicine.

Diversity Experience

At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, we care for a diverse patient population. Thus, residents learn to practice culturally competent medicine. Additionally, interns and residents are eligible to serve on the Department's Diversity Committee, which is geared towards strengthening diversity within the medical center and improving education, research and patient care.

Columbus Free Clinics

Columbus has many free clinics, most of which are Ohio State medical student-managed primary and urgent care. All our free clinics serve the uninsured urban area of Columbus, Ohio. One of the many clinics is The Columbus Free Clinic (CFC), which is the largest provider of free and episodic specialty care in Franklin County. Residents can choose to work at CFC, or one of the other medical student-run clinics like La Clinica Latina, Asian Health Free Clinic, and Noor Clinic (serving predominately MENA immigrants and Muslim patients). Residents can also work at other free clinics, such as The Physicians Free Clinic, an affiliate organization of the Columbus Medical Association.