October 28, 2024

American Medical Women’s Association student organization providing period kits to free clinics

In response to a lack of established free women’s health care services in Detroit, the American Medical Women’s Association student chapter at the Wayne State University School of Medicine is providing free menstrual hygiene kits to local student-run free clinics to increase accessibility to women’s health care in underserved communities.

Kaitlyn Zablock shows off the kits waiting for distribution at a recent outreach event.

“Since April of 2024, our project has made significant strides. We’ve assembled and distributed more than 200 kits, containing underwear, tampons and pads. These kits, discreetly packaged in opaque black bags, are generously distributed by clinics to patients based on individual needs,” said second-year medical student Kaitlyn Zablock, president of the AMWA at the School of Medicine. “Our efforts have been bolstered by a donation of more than 3,000 period products from the non-profit organization PERIOD. Looking ahead, we plan to produce and distribute an additional 200 kits this fall.”

The project is an extension of Zablock’s past work with a nonprofit to combat period poverty in Washtenaw County as an undergraduate in Ann Arbor, Mich. “When I started medical school at Wayne, I wanted to translate my passion for period poverty to Detroit and this was the best way I thought to do that,” she added.

The kits are now available at several locations serving vulnerable populations, including the Robert R. Frank Student-Run Free Clinic, Amigos Medicos, YWCA Shelter and through Street Medicine Detroit.

“We hope to expand our outreach to other local clinics as this project grows. This initiative has been made possible through the generous support of the WSU School of Medicine alumni funds granted to AMWA and various donations,” Zablock said. “From what I am aware of, the period kits have been received positively by clinics and patients. Several clinics have asked for any extra kits as they’ve noticed a great need among their patients.”

The organization’s goal is to establish long-term partnerships and continue efforts to combat women’s health disparities in the Detroit community.

To contribute to the project, send monetary donations to Venmo @wsusomamwa. For product donations, contact @American Medical Women's Association via email for donation/pick-up/drop off details.