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MUSC Gives Back Students add service to busy academic life by Cindy Abole Public Relations Inspired by a willingness towards service and assistance to others, MUSC students actively give of themselves through time and talent to people and causes around the Tri-county community.      As busy as they are in their academics and student life, MUSC students were out cleaning roadways and public areas of litter; cooking meals and baking cookies for needy families; mentoring and spending time with children and teens; assisting the underserved and homeless with medical care and needs; home building; or collecting money for tsunami relief victims in Southeast Asia.   Each spring, students are formally recognized for their dedication and service with their community volunteering through the MUSC Gives Back program. On April 19, students were honored and recognized for their efforts during the annual MUSC Gives Back Community Volunteer Awards and luncheon held at the Sebring-Aimar House.      “Considering that community volunteer activities are not mandated as a criteria of graduation, the evidence of MUSC student outreach is so remarkable,” said Liz Sheridan, MUSC Gives Back director. “Because our students are self motivated to provide services for the well-being of others, they typify altruism at it’s best.”      Now in its 12th year, the program personifies public service through active partnerships, programs, methods and activities that address the community’s health or welfare needs.      On April 7, a panel of student judges reviewed and selected the winning groups within five categories and one organization/student group category. In total, the judges reviewed at least a dozen total group entries. Individual awards recognizing student volunteer accomplishments in each of the six colleges were also chosen.      Winners of the 2005 MUSC Gives Back Group/Organization Award gathered during the annual April 19 awards luncheon. Lauren Cason, Academy of Student Pharmacy (CoPH); Sharon Candler, Occupational Therapy 2006 (CHP); Andrea Matthews, Crisis Ministries Student Clinic (University Wide); Madelyn O'Conner, Occupational Therapy 2006 (CHP); Lee Lineberry, Graduate Student Association (CGS); Jay Biber, Medical Students Ophthalmology Society (COM); Not Pictured: Gayden Tyler, College of Nursing SGA (CON) This year’s MUSC Gives Back outstanding student volunteers are: Catherine Myrick, College of Dental Medicine; Christopher Potter, College of Graduate Studies; Jennifer Smith, College of Health Professions; Cynthia Talent, College of Medicine; Ashley Miller, College of Nursing; Stephen Brown, College of Pharmacy.   2005 MUSC Gives Back Individual Volunteer Award recipients are Catherine Myrick, College of Dental Medicine; Cynthia Tallent, Medicine; Jennifer Smith, Health Professions, Communication Sciences and Disorders; Not pictured are: Christopher Potter, Graduate Studies; Ashley Miller, Nursing; and Stephen Brown, Pharmacy. Of the individual award winners, six students contributed almost 1,380 volunteer hours helping area students through Tri-county school programs and youth activities; cancer support and outreach with Hospice of Charleston; help with abuse victims and teen pregnancy prevention programs and campus-related volunteer activities:   This year’s group awards recognize: Graduate Student Association/College of Graduate Studies This 30-member group dedicated its time supporting the Berkeley County PAWS organization. They organized a fund-raiser social, which not only generated $440 in funds but served as an opportunity to distribute rescue and adoption information, plus awareness of animal welfare issues. The group’s donation was matched by the Magnolia Foundation for a total of $888 in contributions. Occupational Therapy Class of 2006/College of Health Professions From pounding nails during the construction for a family's new home to assisting children with the local Special Olympics and the MUSC Children’s Hospital Diabetic Halloween Carnival, members of the Occupational Therapy Class of 2006 contributed almost 400 hours of community service.   Other activities include helping with Camp Burnt Gin; Taste of Charleston and full support of Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding’s Chili Cook-off.  Medical Student Ophthalmology Society/College of Medicine The group was formed to promote public awareness of the ophthalmologic field and develop fundamental concepts of the eye exam.   The 28-member group, which includes SEI faculty and staff, ophthalmology residents, plus volunteers from the College of Medicine, wanted to improve the quality of life for many of the Tri-county’s elderly who are prone to preventable blindness from eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration. They created and staffed Fight for Sight, a fully functional mobile eye care clinic developed to provide free eye exams and care for low income Charlestonians. They were able to successfully support patients at screening clinics at St. Andrew’s Church, Canterbury House and St. Andrews Medical Clinic in Mount Pleasant. College of Nursing SGA/College of Nursing Fundraising for others and helping out in the community is the mantra for nursing student government members. This year, the group actively donated its time and raised $800 benefitting Alzheimer’s patients with Respite Care Ministries. They also assisted groups like the American Red Cross, Goodwill Industries, the Cooper River Bridge Run, MUSC Children’s Research Institute, and other Lowcountry community projects. Academy of Student Pharmacists/College of Pharmacy Always active in the community, these students participated in numerous areawide events logging in more than 129 hours.   Their outreach included help with the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk, Ask-a-Pharmacist Day at Ansonborough Community Center, Habitat for Humanity, Operation Immunization at North Charleston Wal-Mart, YWCA, Harvest Free Medical Clinic, the local Special Olympics and Ronald McDonald House. In Operation Immunization, the country’s shortage of flu vaccine posed a particular challenge for student organizers. Students quickly prepared a patient education opportunity promoting flu prevention and outreach. Crisis Ministries Student Clinic/University Wide Organization For numerous years, students from the College of Medicine and College of Pharmacy contributed continuous support of this program which provides medical care to hundreds of Charleston’s homeless and uninsured on a weekly basis. Medical and pharmacy students, working with MUSC physicians and other community medical professionals donated their Wednesday afternoons to provide free medical care to individuals and families. In turn, the program also provides a great learning environment for students.   This year, about 120 students practiced their interviewing and physical exam skills and provided their support with approximately 792 service hours.   The students also organized several patient education sessions focusing on medical-related topics specific to this population.   In December, the group continued with its annual Christmas donation drive collecting daily necessities like toothbrushes, soap, socks, and blankets for patients. Friday, April 29, 2005 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.