The Sharewood Project

Sharewood is a free health care organization run by medical students and physicians. Sharewood offers unscheduled care to the medically underserved populations of the greater Boston area. Sharewood is located in the recreation area of the First Church in Malden at the end of Pleasant street in Malden, MA. The clinic operates Tuesday nights from 6:30 to 9:00 PM. Sharewood is staffed by volunteer physicians and medical students affiliated with Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM), as well as other health professions students and translators. We provide clinical, case management, and laboratory screening services (psychiatric, dental, and ophthalmic services are sometimes available). All services are free and open to everyone; the Sharewood Project derives funding for its operating costs solely through fundraising and donations.

The Sharewood Project was founded under the guidance of Dr. Brian Lisse, an Associate Professor at TUSM. Sharewood is managed primarily by first and second year students of TUSM under the guidance of our current medical director, Dr. Gregory Sawin, program director of the Tufts University Family Practice Residency in Malden. In addition, undergraduate volunteers from Tufts University manage front desk operations and assist with Sharewood's fundraising and patient outreach efforts.

The name "Sharewood" is based on the Robin Hood/Sherwood Forest idea of giving to the poor. The reason "Sherwood" became "Sharewood" is that the Sharewood Project is not about robbery and simple handouts. It is a mutual give and take where those receiving health services provide a learning opportunity for the students of Tufts University School of Medicine. The experience is shared rather than given.