by Cindy A. Abole, Public Relations

Therapeutic horseback riding with special needs children, fundraising for the Carolina Children’s Charity Reid Failey Race, and helping children with cancer celebrate spring during a special Easter egg hunt: These are some examples of how MUSC Gives Back volunteers are working throughout the Tri-county community.

Six student organizations and one university-wide student organization were recently honored with the second annual MUSC Gives Back Community Volunteer Award for Student Organizations. The award, which recognizes students for their outstanding volunteer contributions during the 1997-98 academic year, was presented to the organizations selected by peer students representing all MUSC colleges and coordinated through the MUSC Gives Back office.

“Volunteerism can be an infectious experience,” said Liz Sheridan, MUSC Gives Back director, referring to the 11,000-plus total hours earned by volunteers working with the program in more than 100 projects and agencies since 1993. “It empowers students to take on a leadership role by helping to fulfill project needs.”

“We have an exceptional group of people working as volunteers. It’s important that they are adding value to their education earned here by extending themselves in a voluntary way to meet the unmet needs of others,” Sheridan said.

The MUSC Gives Back Awards are:

• College of Dental Medicine, American Student Dental Association Dental student Geoff Steinkruger organized American Student Dental Association volunteers to support the ASDA Carolina Children’s Charity Reid Failey 5K Run which was held March 21 at Charles Towne Landing. More than 110 people and 20 volunteers participated in the run which raised more than $4,300. Proceeds benefited the Carolina Children’s Charity.
• College of Graduate Studies, Graduate Student Association The Graduate Student Association, already active with Sea Island Habitat for Humanity on rural John’s Island, also provided educational outreach to students at Burke High School. Participants visited various departments and discussed career opportunities in the field of biomedical research.
• College of Health Professions, Communication Sciences and Disorders Members of the Communication Sciences and Disorders Program at the College of Health Professions gathered at various locations to conduct audiological screenings for children. Students are members of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association NSSLAHA), an active group organizing speech-language pathology students. Volunteers provided audiological screenings during February’s Health and Wellness Fair, Charleston County’s Head Start Program and the Lowcountry Children’s Center. A new program established in the College of Health Professions in 1997, this is the first time this group has been recognized with a volunteer award.
• College of Medicine, American Medical Women’s Association Volunteers associated with the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) have worked with organizations including People Against Rape, Happy Days and Special Times, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Florence Crittendon Home and Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach Services.
• College of Nursing, Graduate Student Organization On Saturday mornings, graduate nursing student Beth Eastman can be found saddling up at a stable in Mt. Pleasant. There, Eastman and several other volunteers hone riding techniques in preparation to assist special needs children who can benefit through physical, emotional and mental rewards. Eastman represents an example of volunteer work organized through the Graduate Student Organization in the College of Nursing. Her work in the therapeutic horseback riding program is coordinated through the Caring Connection and MUSC Gives Back Program.
• College of Pharmacy, Academy of Students of Pharmacy This year, members of the Academy of Students of Pharmacy (APhA-ASP) have worked in various areas including fund raising for breast cancer research, helping orphans through the “Christmas Angel Project,” and providing assistance as tutors and mentors in the economically challenged Union Heights neighborhood.
• University-wide organizations, Crisis Ministries Clinic While most medical students were busy studying or doing other activities, Gretchen Wriston, Melissa Powell, Liz Heron, Trey Castles and other College of Medicine students spent their Wednesday evenings helping Charleston’s homeless population. Unable to seek assistance at daytime clinics, the group provided free health care treatment to working indigents through the Crisis Ministries Wednesday Night Clinic. In 1997, the clinic expanded to invite internal medicine residents and organized a steering committee which oversees clinic operations and facilitates communications between other resources.

“We’re definitely honored in receiving the MUSC Gives Back Award,” said Liz Dove, communication sciences and disorders program social chairman and student vice president of the College of Health Professions. “It gives us a chance to see what types of services we can offer in the area of audiology. We’re excited about doing work within the Charleston community.”

“They’re all very impressive,” said Sheridan, referring to the award recipients. “It’s wonderful to see an increase in the number of applications with this year’s awards. I hope to see an increase of applications for next year. The application process can provide evidence of a group’s progress, especially as it relates on a national level or college-related programs. Ultimately, it inspires other organizations to be more dutiful in their record keeping.”

Asked what may lie ahead for the MUSC Gives Back program, Sheridan hopes to see a steady increase of applications so the program’s better informed regarding work and progress. “Since there’s a new crop of students every year, I’m hoping they can succeed in what’s already been established,” Sheridan said. “Long-standing partnerships with agencies like the Windwood Home for Boys is a fine example.”

MUSC Gives Back recognizes six categories for volunteer support and categorized by their interest population areas. They are: children, women, general community, indigent/low income, senior services and people with disabilities.

“I hope we can generate enough interests in meeting the needs of other populations as we have successfully proven with our current, long-standing agencies,“ Sheridan said. “Although there’s always been strong support for children and youth. I’m working to develop other creative ways to attract students who will ultimately serve these people and other groups.”