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Regional Campuses

Service Learning Project Handbook

Welcome to Regional Campuses
M1 Summer Programs

Regional Campuses M1 Summer Programs help bridge the gap between the classroom and practical experience for students who have completed the first year of medical school. These programs offer more relaxed environments away from formal coursework where students can focus on different aspects of their medical education and as well as their future career paths as physicians. This handbook provides important details about Service Learning Project (SLP) Experiences.

Service Learning Project: What is SLP?

Service Learning Project SLP provides UAMS M1 COM students opportunities to gain knowledge, identify needs and create projects to help improve the delivery of Family Medicine to benefit the health and welfare of citizens in select rural communities.  Students will work with UAMS Regional Campus/DFPM staff to select a SLP topic and complete their project.  

Upon completion of four-week SLP, student will be able to (as relates specifically to their SLP): 

  1. Discuss critical issues facing rural Family Medicine physicians and/or select patient populations
  2. Discuss delivery of healthcare to rural patients 
  3. Demonstrate understanding of basic research 
  4. List common medical problems seen by Family Medicine physician in selected community/clinic; discuss the strategies commonly applied for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these common medical problems.
  5. Compare/contrast the value of human and environmental influences as determinants of a patient’s health.

Brief Overview of Service
Learning Project (SLP)

  • Description: Research and implement a project to improve the health and welfare of Arkansans.
  • Primary Goal: Increase student’s knowledge on a specific health/welfare related issue through experiential learning.
  • Length of Program: Four weeks
  • Stipend: $1,000**                                                                                                                 

**Service Learning Project is not a required program activity for Honors in Underserved Primary Care (HUPC) 4YR and 3YR-Acclerated students.  HUPC students are eligible to receive this stipend.

College of Medicine Senior Course Credit Policy

If requested, up to four (4) credits may be approved as an elective for the senior year, for participation in the SLP. However, to qualify for this credit, there must be an unusually stringent academic component to the activity.  Written approval must be received from the College of Medicine Executive Associate Dean’s office prior to starting the project/service. For more information, see the specific policy approved by the College of Medicine Curriculum Committee located in the Appendix.

Before SLP begins

 Application

  • January 27, 2026: M1 Family Medicine Summer Programs Launch N Lunch: informal lunch on LR/NW campuses to showcase/recruit for M1 FM summer programs. Lunch provided on both campuses. Live presentation in LR/zoomed into NW.
  • Applications accepted via online application: January 26, 2026 through March 6, 2026
  • Submit SLP Application by March 6, 2026 deadline. Application must include project topics in order of preference, preferred dates of participation and housing requests*. 
  • Applications received after March 6, 2026, deadline will be considered only if slots are available.

*Housing requests must be noted on the application. It is the student’s responsibility to make housing arrangements. Some family medicine preceptors, communities, and the Regional Campuses may be willing to provide housing while a student is working with their physicians. All housing requests must be noted on the application form prior to submission.

Application Requirements/Information

  • M1 Students must be in good academic standing with the College of Medicine.
  • There are a limited number of stipend-supported slots for each of the three summer programs. Students are encouraged to submit their application early to help ensure desired placement.
  • The Regional Campus Central Office reserves the right to make final decisions regarding selection of applicants, selection of appropriate physicians and sites for the Family Medicine Preceptorship, coordination of Service Learning Projects, and MASH Camp Assistantship placements.

Acceptance/SLP Proposal Information

  • Friday, March 20, 2026:  Students receive notification of SLP acceptance by email from the M1 Summer Program Coordinator. 
  • If needed, the M1 Summer Program Coordinator will send students required forms/paperwork to complete to receive stipend payments. 
  • It is the student’s responsibility to provide their meals.

Cancellation:

  • If student is placed in a M1 Summer Program and is unable to participate, student must immediately contact: Family Medicine Preceptor, Service Learning Project Director or MASH Camp Director.
  • Student must also immediately contact Heidi Damron, the M1 summer programs coordinator as there might be a waiting list with students who are wanting a summer program placement.

SLP Proposal Information

  • Following notification of Service Learning Project SLP selection SLP students must submit a formal project proposal on the M1 Summer Programs webpage.   List of Service Learning Project Options below.**  UAMS staff available for consultation and guidance upon request.     
  • Students will be notified by email that the project proposal has been approved. SLP students are not confirmed until SLP proposal is approved by the Regional Campuses Education Office. 
  • Once SLP project is confirmed, student(s) and SLP project supervisor are notified via email from M1 Summer Program Coordinator.
  • Teamwork and team-based care are important elements of high-quality health care. Therefore, students can work individually or may have a maximum two (2) students on one project. Each project will be assigned a UAMS staff Project Supervisor.
  • If there are two students on SLP: 
    • Each student will submit a separate proposal for their responsibility in the project.                  
    • Each student will submit an end-of-project written report for their part of the project.
    • Both students must give an end-of-project presentation at the same time, with both students present.

**2026 Service Learning Project Options

  • Post- Partum depression: screening and treatment intervention and supports
  • Using a Psychiatric consultation model to support Family Medicine providers in treating MH disorders
  • Innovations in dementia diagnosis and treatment
  • Treating insomnia in Primary Care Clinics
  • Using Motivational Interviewing to promote health behavior changes
  • Building resilience in medical trainees and providers: Recognition of secondary trauma and skills to promote wellness
  • Emotional, social impacts of GLP medications and weight loss
  • Wellness

Four-week SLP begins

General Information

  • Timeframe for SLP:  June 1, 2026, through July 24, 2026
  • Be on time.
  • Be prepared.
  • Be professional in appearance and attitude.
  • Take advantage of every opportunity to learn.
  • SLP Project supervisor/student(s) meet/talk and determine project parameters: project/meeting schedule, project details, travel requirements (if needed), hours needed to complete project*, research needs, etc.

*Hours needed within the 4-week timeframe to complete SLP are determined by: the topic selected, potential travel, discussions between the SLP supervisor and student(s), research needed, concerns/expectations from community/clinic (if applicable), other issues as they arise.

  • SLP may involve a clinical or community hospital*. The student(s) and SLP supervisor will work with appropriate staff to determine project idea and subsequent elements needed to complete project. These project ideas may include: improve clinical processes, disease registries, care management plans, or other clinical initiatives.
  •  If SLP involves clinic/community hospital please note the following: HIPPA Info: Students are third parties to the customary privileged doctor/patient relationship during this preceptorship. Confidentiality must be respected.  Student conduct is expected to be professional and consistent with the dignity and reputation of the profession. Remember your HIPAA training! 
  • If making on-site visits, wear student lab coat and UAMS name tag unless told otherwise by SLP Supervisor.
  • If SLP involves clinic/community hospital please note the following: Hospital/Clinic Screenings/Certifications/Approvals: Some hospitals or clinics require anyone who spends time in their facility to be screened and approved for clinical or educational activities, i.e., Family Medicine Preceptorship FMP. These screenings may include CPR certification, annual TB skin tests, immunization records, criminal background checks and/or drug screens. It is the responsibility of the student to provide these documents directly to the hospital or clinic and at the student’s expense.  If required, contact UAMS Student Health Services at 501-686-6381 or http://familymedicine.uams.edu/university-healthcare-services/student-and-employee-health for your health records.
  • End of Project Presentation: After preparation and review with SLP Supervisor, student(s) prepare written report of SLP; to include goals, outcomes, barriers, recommendations, and suggestions for further actions. This presentation takes place following completion of the four weeks of SLP and in agreement with project supervisor, student, and other staff. If SLP report is related to clinic/community hospital, student(s) may present a brief summary presentation to appropriate clinic/hospital staff to conclude the service project. 
  • Complete Blackboard evaluation. 

SLP Ends

Evalutions 

The Regional Campus Education office will contact the SLP Supervisor and student if Blackboard evaluations are not received in a timely manner after the four-week project is complete.

  • Student: The Service Learning Project is not considered complete until student submits a Blackboard evaluation on their direct preceptor/community physician.  Evaluations are anonymous. Specific feedback is important to improve next year’s program. There is no academic grade associated with the physician’s or student’s assessment, but it is used to document student accomplishments as well as to help improve the quality of the program.
  • Preceptor/community physician:  The Service Learning Project is not considered complete until the Preceptor/Community Physician submits a student evaluation. The FM preceptor/community physician will complete an assessment of their student’s participation and will verify their successful completion of program objectives.  Upon request, students may receive a copy of the preceptor’s evaluation. 

Stipend Information

  • Students will receive SLP stipend check for total amount of $1000, after the four-week project and presentation are completed, AND upon satisfactory completion of/submission of  blackboard evaluations (both student and preceptor).

Stipend Uses

  • To offset the cost of transportation, housing, and/or meals in the community for which you have selected.
  • The stipend is considered income and student should report as income to the IRS. This income can be offset by school expenses or educational costs, such as tuition, books, supplies, travel, meals and lodging while off campus. If income exceeds educational costs, then the exceeded amount will be taxable.

Stipend Delivery

  • Stipend checks may be picked up in-person in the UAMS DFPM Clinic (Jack Stephens & 6th Street). 
  • Upon request, stipend checks may be mailed.  Students are responsible for providing a complete, accurate, and current mailing address.

Appendix

College of Medicine
Senior Course Credit Policy

The two-week Family Medicine Preceptorship along with the additional the four-week Service Learning Project might qualify for this credit.

College of Medicine students who participate in organized preceptorships or research activities, which have been determined appropriate for credit, during the summer between the first and second or second and third years of medical school, can receive up to a total of four credit hours for the activities.  (A credit hour on such an activity will be equal to 36 hours of actual work, not prep time – or a credit hour per week for full time activities).  The activities must be organized by the College of Medicine or the UAMS Regional Programs; they must be part of an organized program with written goals and objectives, and the student must receive an evaluation.   

The determination of whether or not the activity is worthy of credit hours will be made in advance between the College of Medicine (office of the Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or designee), and the director of the program sponsoring the activity.  To qualify for credit, there must be an unusually stringent academic component to the activity and the activity will have been planned specifically to qualify for this credit by the director of the program and the Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Ad hoc preceptorships and/or research activities arranged by the student or groups of students will not qualify for this credit.  In general, a simple preceptorship where the student is assigned to a clinician or researcher and observes them on rounds, in the clinic, or in the laboratory, will not be considered appropriate for credit.  For example, the routine preceptorships available through the UAMS in the summer will not be eligible, nor will summer research positions arranged through the office of the Executive Associate Dean for Research.  Time preparing for the USMLE Step examinations, even if done at a Board Preparation Course, will not qualify for this Pre-Clinical Elective Credit.

If there is any question as to whether a specific activity is eligible for this credit, the student should contact the office of the Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.  No guarantees of credit are made unless approved in advance by this office.

If a student takes part in such an approved activity, the director of the program will be responsible to report the students’ involvement to the College of Medicine Dean’s office in an official evaluation with a pass/fail grade.  These grades will not become part of the student’s transcript, but will be recorded in their permanent record.  Failing grades will obviously receive no credit.  A record will be made of the student’s involvement along with the number of credit hours earned.  The credit hours will be applied during the student’s senior year.

Policy as approved by the UAMS College of Medicine Curriculum Committee March 2013.