About Us

CHIUS (Community Health Initiative by University Students) is an interdisciplinary, UBC student/resident, faculty, and community team that develops and offers community-based clinical and social initiatives to meet health care needs in Vancouver. CHIUS students and residents are exposed to the impact of the social determinants of health for marginalized populations through experiential learning opportunities in primarily the downtown eastside.

Since 2002, CHIUS has supported community-based clinical services, health education and social initiatives that involve ongoing collaboration between students, residents, health professionals, UBC faculty, and the community. CHIUS has formed and maintained lasting community partnerships with Positive Living Society of BC, WISH Drop-In Centre Society, Vancouver Native Health Society and Three Bridges Clinic by ensuring open dialogue with its community partners and demonstrating a commitment to responding to the communities’ needs.

In 2017-2018, a total of 11 CHIUS interprofessional student executives and 69 students engaged in CHIUS enriched interprofessional clinical or social initiatives from 5 different health professional disciplines: medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, and social work. In 2018-2019, we are excited at the possibility of broadening our scope to include physical therapy, dentistry and dental hygiene students as well.

CHIUS is supported by UBC Health and the UBC Post-graduate Medical Education (PGME).