August 28, 2015
MEDICAL UNIVERSITY of SOUTH CAROLINA
Vol. 34, No. 1
MUSC community remembers, honors the lives of the Emanuel 9 Planting a tree of unity and hope By Mikie Hayes Public Relations
A
photo by J. Ryne Danielson, Public Relations
MUSC student Reona Broadwater, third right, joins Mother Emanuel AME Church members-employees Velma Stamp, from left, Vanessa Thomas-Jackson, Brenda Brown, Marlena Davis and the Rev. Michelle Frayer as they visit the Magnolia tree of Unity & Hope honoring the Emanuel Nine.
LIKE US
t the behest of medical students involved in the Student National Medical Association who were away from campus when the Emanuel Nine tragedy struck Mother Emanuel AME Church, a commemoration of that fateful day was planned so that students could connect to the community in a meaningful way and feel a part of the unity, fellowship and caring that afterward so abundantly coursed throughout MUSC and Charleston. August 17 marked the two–month anniversary of the tragedy and the day that students and employees came together to remember and honor those who were lost, as well as to show the members of the historic AME church, who are part of the MUSC family, just how much they are cared about. MUSC Chief Diversity Officer Willette Burnham, Ph.D., coordinated the observance with the MUSC community who participated in the day’s event by sharing music, poetry and sentiments. The program opened with a performance by MUSC’s own choral and instrumental group, MUSiC, an interprofessional group of students who performed the well–loved hymn “It is Well with My Soul,” penned by Horatio Spafford. President David J. Cole, M.D., FACS, took an opportunity to talk about the hope that came from tragedy and despair. “Two months ago to the day, our community and the nation were faced with a horrific and unspeakable act: the senseless murder of nine of our community members, colleagues and friends. To many at MUSC they represented nephews and nieces, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters. This act that occurred at the Mother Emanuel AME Church is certainly etched in our minds. As we move forward as a community, it’s important that we recognize these moments. Both the act, and the remarkable unity that ensued from it, highlight both the best and worst capabilities of man. Our humanity, grace and caring have allowed us to move forward as a community, and I believe, have shocked the nation. As health care providers, community members, people —
Medical University of South Carolina — FOLLOW US
See Unity on page 6 @ Catalyst_MUSC
Inside Welcome Back
3
MUSC and SGA presidents welcome students back to campus.
aRRoW iniTiaTive PRofile
9
Female researcher is a powerful advocate for cancer equity.
2 DAISY 5 Meet Jamie 8 John Kilby T h e c aTa ly s T online http://www. musc.edu/ catalyst