Through the Alumni Annual Fund, medical alumni provide assistance to more than 40 student organizations and programs that involve hundreds of medical students.

Through one such organization, Code Blue, medical students serve underprivileged communities by volunteering at public schools. Code Blue members, organized into teams of four, are matched to Highland Park Community Schools classrooms. Teams organize lessons and games designed to teach students practical life skills, including hygiene, manners and healthy living.

“I truly enjoy participating in Code Blue because I can see the impact I am making on the lives of the students,” said Katherine Burton, Class of 2013 and Code Blue secretary. “Being able to give back to this community has been so rewarding and I always look forward to visiting my classroom.”

Code Blue was established in 1989 in response to the adolescent health crisis identified by the National Association of State Boards of Education and the American Medical Association. Two Michigan communities have been identified as Code Blue districts, Benton Harbor and Highland Park. The outreach program at the Wayne State University School of Medicine joins the Highland Park Community Schools district in a concerted effort to better the health education of school children.

If you would like to invest in medical student programs like Code Blue, visit www.med.wayne.edu/aaf-giving to make a tax-deductible gift.