GWU - ISCOPES
The Interdisciplinary Student Community-Oriented Prevention Enhancement Service (ISCOPES) is a unique, multidisciplinary community service-learning program for graduate-level students in the health professions. ISCOPES involves interdisciplinary teams of students from The George Washington University’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences and School of Public Health and Health Services, and George Mason University’s School of Nursing working together with local community-based organizations in mutually beneficial partnerships to promote health. ISCOPES offers students an invaluable learning experience while assisting these organizations in providing a wide range of services to those in need throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
Students, faculty and community members collaborate on projects addressing health issues raised by residents in the District of Columbia. Students learn through the team process and an online curriculum designed to equip them with the appropriate tools to develop, implement and evaluate their projects. The curriculum specifically addresses interdisciplinary teamwork, cultural competency and methods of implementing community-oriented care. ISCOPES is a process-oriented program where all learn from and with one another.
Mission Statement
The mission of ISCOPES is to provide students with a service-learning experience while addressing community-identified health needs in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Interdisciplinary teamwork and community interaction make ISCOPES a unique approach to promoting health in DC and reducing barriers to accessing health information and care.
Background and History
ISCOPES is a collaborative effort between The George Washington University (GW) in Washington, DC and George Mason University (GMU) in Fairfax, Virginia. The program involves students and faculty from the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Services and School of Nursing in the College of Health and Human Services. Originally, the program received grant seed money and is now financially supported by GW and GMU.
ISCOPES partners with various community-based organizations that provide a wide range of services to the citizens of the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Populations served at these sites include preschool children; immigrants; senior citizens; homeless men, women and children; and the underinsured, uninsured, and underserved.
The ISCOPES program brings together health professional graduate students, faculty and community members to work as a team to address broad public health issues in the DC community. Combining the strengths of diverse health care professions and the community to initiate community-based health projects, ISCOPES is a unique approach to fostering health in DC and preventing barriers in access to care.
Goals and Objectives
Service to the Community
Project Development and Management
Students work to develop community-based projects, or assist with on-going projects, that address the particular health needs of the population served by the community partner organization with whom they are working. There are a number of methods by which to conduct this work. These methods are outlined in the ISCOPES curriculum as tools for developing, implementing and evaluating community-based projects.
Enhancing Culturally Sensitive Practices
Developing culturally sensitive practices begins with learning about oneself and one’s relationships. We are all part of multiple communities with different roles and responsibilities for each (e.g. our family, academic program, place we call home, organizational membership, etc). In order to be with others and to work with others in addressing shared concerns such as access to health information and care, it is necessary to be aware of oneself including one’s assumptions, lens through which one views the world, biases, privileges, challenges, and responsibilities.
ISCOPES teams often work with marginalized populations, giving students a firsthand understanding of the socioeconomic and cultural factors affecting access to and quality of health information and care. Thus, it is important for students to learn about social justice and advocacy; identify, supplement and support community strengths; and, to strengthen their sense of cultural competence.
Interdisciplinary Team Building and Collaboration
In order to understand and most effectively address the health concerns that face our community, each of the different stakeholders must come together to listen and learn from one another. Specifically, each person—whether a public health worker, administrator, or community resident—offers a unique and valuable perspective. By combining our insights, strengths, and experiences, we can improve health information and care, more than the sum of the individual participants.
Professional Development
What it means to be a Health Care Provider
ISCOPES introduces students to the challenge of providing health care and promoting health in dynamic community settings. Students learn to adapt their academic knowledge and skills and to collaborate with others in a team setting to effectively reach the population with whom they are working.
Leadership
ISCOPES is supported by a full-time director, student leaders, and staff. For contact information, please refer to the Contacts page.
 Dr. Lisa Alexander is the assistant dean for Community-Based Partnerships in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at the George Washington University Medical Center. She oversees ISCOPES along with several other initiatives both on campus and in the community.
 Emily Morrison is the director of ISCOPES. She is available to meet in person, talk by phone or communicate by e-mail with any student, faculty member, advisor, or community member to assist with project activities, support team events, add insight, address concerns, and strengthen the ISCOPES experience for all.
- Student leaders volunteer to serve in one of two capacities:
1. As team facilitators; or
2. As program representatives.
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