HeRMES (Help Revitalize Medical Education through Service) is
a student-run free clinic that operates in partnership with
area health clinics serving the uninsured and underserved of
Illinois.  Its founder and executive director is Dipesh
Navsaria, a recent GSLIS grad and medical student. “One of the
really neat things about HeRMES,” notes Dipesh, “is that all
aspects of it are managed entirely by students -- not just
medical students, but doctoral students, undergraduates, and a
smattering of other professions.”

Pursuing an idea Dipesh brought to the GSLIS Community
Informatics Corps, HeRMES has received a small grant from the
American Medical Students Association to explore the provision
of library services. These might include  offering "on the
spot" consumer health information assistance during monthly
clinic nights, or conducting an information needs assessment
related to both patients and clinic staff. 

HerMES provides an excellent opportunity to work with a vastly
underprivileged community with very acute, short-term needs.
It would also offer a chance to interact with health care
professionals and students and make them aware of what
resources the LIS professions have to offer.

For more information, visit http://www.hermes- 
clinic.org or contact Dipesh at dipesh@navsaria.com.