The Cardinal Direction Clinic:
Addressing Health Inequity and Cultivating Future Louisville Physicians
by Caden Seraphine, M2, Theodora Zavos, M2, Sanjana Nasta, M2 & Jamaal Richie, MD
In the heart of Louisville, a city grappling with profound health inequities, a new initiative is taking root. The Cardinal Direction Clinic, founded by a group of passionate University of Louisville School of Medicine( ULSOM) students and faculty, is poised to address these disparities while simultaneously preparing the next generation of clinicians. Anchored in a dual mission of community care and clinical education, the clinic will stand as a testament to the power of collaboration, compassion and a commitment to lasting change within the Louisville metro area.
Confronting Systemic Health Inequities
The 2024 Louisville Health Equity Report paints a sobering picture: health outcomes in Louisville are shaped less by personal choices and more by a systemic lack of resources. Chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes and obesity remain prevalent, disproportionately impacting underserved populations. Lack of access to consistent health care and education exacerbates these outcomes, creating cycles of disadvantage that are difficult to break.
Against this backdrop, the University of Louisville School of Medicine finds itself uniquely positioned to make a meaningful impact. With its wealth of academic resources, clinical expertise and an ethos of service, the ULSOM community recognizes a call to action: to not only provide care but to foster a healthier, more equitable Louisville. The Cardinal Direction Clinic arises from this urgent need— a vision shaped by both recognition of the progress made and a clear-eyed understanding of the persistent gaps that remain.
Building on Strengths, Addressing Gaps
Student-run free clinics have played a vital role in bridging health care
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