STUDENTS
Poster wins national title William (Matt) Pugh, OMS IV, won the Tennessee ACP Research Poster Competition as well as the National ACP title for his poster pertaining to asthma.
WVSOM students involved in Day of Caring WVSOM students joined with the United Way
PAX mission trip
of Greenbrier Valley and Generation Greenbrier to help renovate and revamp portions of the community.
The Pax student group spent their spring break on March 19-26 in the nation of the Dominican Republic, bringing free health care to the rural population near the town of Nebya. Nearly 30 students went to DR along with WVSOM alumni Dr. Bruce Petersen (‘81), Dr. Millie Petersen (‘83) and Dr. John Stout (‘83). WVSOM faculty member Dr. Jeanne Wahl (‘03) also attended. Using Nebya as a base, the group traveled to different remote villages during their stay. In total, they
More than 50 student volunteers and some faculty volunteers helped work on projects including area parks, youth camps, high schools, the humane society, Alderson Hospitality House and the public works department. The Day of Caring event is just one example of WVSOM students giving back to the area. “An essential component of our osteopathic education is
treated approximately 1,350 patients.
giving back to the community,” said Jaschar Shakuri-Rad,
Pax was also honored with a plaque from the World Vision organization recognizing Pax’s contribution to the health
(‘13), the event’s organizer. “This allows us to appreciate the needs of our communities and provides us with an opportunity to help better the lives of everyone around us.”
care of Dominican residents. The students have been working with World Vision and its sister organization,
A program called Translating Osteopathic Understanding
Community Service Alliance, for the past five years.
into Community Health (TOUCH) encourages all
The WVSOM Alumni Association, Inc. provided $2,000 grant money towards the purchase of medication and medical supplies for the trip.
osteopathic medical students to become more involved in the community and provide necessary services. Shakuri-Rad said this year’s Day of Caring event went well. “The community was very appreciative of all the students and the WVSOM community for providing such vital service,” he said.
Pictured (L to R) Pax Vice President Julie Petersen, Pax President Bhavana Pandaya, and Pax Secretary Aiman Rauf.
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WVSOM MAGAZINE
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Fall 2011