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MUSC Gives Back Awards Pharmacy duo honored for community service by Cindy Abole Public Relations College of Pharmacy students have been active in many accomplishments throughout the 2002-2003 academic year. Several have been recognized for their dedication to help others and motivation to improve people’s health.  Second-year pharmacy doctorate students Meridith Brown and Stephen E. Brown have come to enjoy a life balanced by academics and community service. Meridith has been busy as special projects coordinator for the APhA-ASP chapter at MUSC. Last month, her organization was honored as one of  seven MUSC Gives Back Community Volunteer Awards. Meridith has the distinction of leading and coordinating ASP student volunteers in various capacities on campus and throughout the Tri-county. The group’s combined efforts resulted in accumulating 426 volunteer hours— the most hours logged by any student organization this year. “All of our work and efforts have been a great hands-on volunteer experience,” said Meridith, a Florence-born native who calls Timmonsville home. “Our work has been a valuable sharing experience that has taught us what it means to ‘give back’ to the community.” The group has been busy coordinating and directing Operation Immunization with the Tri-county Immunization Coalition. The  event is a communitywide effort to promote immunizations and health awareness. They created flyers and prepared promotional material for television and radio broadcast in this effort. They traveled to local pharmacies and talked to pharmacy staff and customers regarding the importance of immunizations.  Other activities include involvement in health fairs, American Heart Walk, Habitat for Humanity, MUSC Diabetic Halloween, American Cancer Society, S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, Ronald McDonald House, Lowcountry AIDS Services, International Student Exchange Program and conducting patient assessments at West Ashley Intermediate School.  APhA-ASP chapter faculty advisor Arnold Karig, Ph.D., is proud of Brown and the ASP students. According to Karig, pharmacists are traditionally the most accessible of healthcare professionals.  “Meridith’s a bundle of energy,” said Karig, of Brown and the generous tradition of pharmacy students who are continually active in community service work. “She is an outstanding young lady who embodies the spirit of giving. Her enthusiasm and dedication speaks volumes.” Volunteering to train future athletes When Goose Creek native Stephen E. Brown graduated from Stratford High School in 1999, little did he know that he would return to help train teens to become better students and athletes. Stephen was recognized as one of MUSC Gives Back's six outstanding student volunteers among each of the six colleges. He was chosen for his  reported volunteer hours served during the academic year in the College of Pharmacy. Stephen is a volunteer assisting Knights' Cross Country/Track and Field coach Todd Griffin. He has been volunteering for the past four years.  “I’ve enjoyed helping out Coach Griffin,” said Stephen. “The students have been really appreciative.” An avid distance  runner, Stephen works with the varsity boys and girls and coaches the developmental program with middle school runners.  He enjoys practices and teaching young athletes how to mentally prepare for a track meet. Stephen even spends his free time tutoring students in math and chemistry. To stay in shape, he still competes and recently completed the 2003 Outback Steakhouse/Azalea Relays. “I’m impressed with the time Stephen spends with the students,” said Griffin. Like many statewide high school sports programs, there is little funding support to hire and maintain track coaches and trainers. “As a college student, I know he has precious free time. Stephen is a great role model and one of the most motivated individuals I know. For him to want the opportunity to coach and help high school students is just fantastic. I welcome him with open arms.”     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.