QAS News

Inequities in health care delivery mean that many people who most need health care have limited or no access to it. Race, socioeconomic and employment status, mental health issues, gender and sexual orientation can all impact patients’ access and experiences.

This past spring, Quarter at Aggie Square  wrapped up the inaugural cohort of Critical Medical Humanities (previously called Advancing Healthcare Equity), an experience aimed at reshaping how students understand and approach health care.

In fall 2024, a cohort of UC Davis undergraduate students took part in Plants, People and the Planet, as part of Quarter of Aggie Square. This experience allows students to contribute to community-based initiatives that promote the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals related to agriculture, environmental conservation, and the development of resilient ecosystems, especially those in the Sacramento region.  

Inequities in health care delivery mean that many people who most need health care have limited or no access to it. Race, socioeconomic and employment status, mental health issues, gender and sexual orientation can all impact patients’ access and experiences.

In winter 2023, Quarter at Aggie Square welcomed a new cohort of students to Critical Medical Humanities — previously known as Advancing Healthcare Equity — an experience focused on exploring the sociocultural and historical factors influencing health care, alongside social, economic and political systems.

The current Crowdfund UC Davis project offers donors the opportunity to support undergraduate students. The Undergraduate Research Center and experiential learning programs seek financial support from alumni, faculty and the community to enhance student learning experiences, near and far.

The Quarter at Aggie Square Biomedical Engineering cohort wrapped up their 10-week experience with a presentation of three medical prototypes for growth-accommodating heart valves, noninvasive glucose monitors and stroke-detection devices. The students chose the concepts to solve complex health challenges they encountered.

“I delayed graduation to do Quarter at Aggie Square, hoping it was a worthwhile use of my time and money. And luckily it was!”  Amrit Bains, a UC Davis senior, said about her experience, at the program’s year-end celebration. She also discussed the impact of students working closely with faculty and one another as her favorite highlight of the program.

In the fall of 2023, a group of seven students took part in UC Davis' Quarter at Aggie Square program called Plants, People, and the Planet. This program provided a unique combination of experiential learning opportunities, community engagement, and coursework, the students explored the multifaceted dimensions of sustainable living and environmental stewardship.