Pharmacy raising money to equip new student-run War Eagle Wellness Clinic

Pharmacy, nursing and medical students on Auburn’s campus aren’t just learning to provide care for tomorrow’s patients — they’re leading the charge to bring accessible health care to communities in Auburn.

The War Eagle Wellness Clinic, a new student-run health clinic, recently opened inside the Boykin Community Center. Led by a student executive team representing Auburn University’s Harrison College of Pharmacy and College of Nursing, along with the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, the clinic aims to provide free health care and patient education to northwest Auburn.

“This clinic has been a dream for many years, and it’s finally come to fruition,” said Jeanna Sewell, associate clinical professor and director of Interprofessional Education in the Harrison College of Pharmacy. “Seeing the students take the reins and show ownership over clinical operations, recruiting student and provider volunteers, and planning community outreach events to promote the clinic has been incredibly rewarding.”

Located inside the Boykin Community Center, the War Eagle Wellness Clinic is open from 9 a.m. to noon on the first Saturday of each month to offer free care to address acute and chronic health concerns for uninsured or underinsured patients.

Trained student volunteers will see patients at the clinic under the supervision of faculty volunteers. This allows students to engage in meaningful service learning and build on professional skills they’re learning in the classroom — all while keeping patient safety at the forefront.

“I am extremely proud of our students who display remarkable initiative and compassion for others in our community,” said Leigh Ann Ross, dean of the Harrison College of Pharmacy. “Two qualities of great leadership include putting the needs of others ahead of your own and striving to improve lives. These students are doing just that by meeting patients where they are and working in a true interprofessional environment, where they learn from and with students from the Auburn College of Nursing and VCOM.”

Now, student leaders are turning to the Auburn Family for support. On Tiger Giving Day 2025, they hope to raise $20,000 to equip the clinic with essential supplies like blood pressure cuffs, blood sugar testing supplies, and patient education materials.

The funds raised from Tiger Giving Day will help students provide high-quality care and will help support long-term plans for expanding clinical services and operating hours.

“I think the Auburn Family will support the War Eagle Wellness Clinic on Tiger Giving Day because the clinic is allowing students to see how they can directly impact their community,” Sewell said. “Our students are growing in their leadership and expanding their patient-centered skills, like empathy, that are harder to develop inside the classroom.

“Interdisciplinary practice is a standard in health care — working with other professionals to provide the best care possible. In a lot of ways, the Auburn Family is the same: we put Auburn’s spirit in action by coming together to help a community and our students thrive.”