College of Med student dies in auto accident
Allen Wayne Edwards, 46, of Charleston, formerly of Dunn, N.C., died June 15, at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Mr.
Edwards was the son of Nancy Witt Edwards and the late Howell
Edwards. He was a fourth-year medical student at MUSC.
Mr. Edwards earned a bachelor's degree in business from East Carolina University, making the Dean's List and/or Honor Roll for three semesters. Later, he attended the College of Charleston, graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in molecular biology. He also served as a member of the Alpha Epsilon Delta pre-medical honor society. His volunteer work included the Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Administration Medical Center, Crisis Ministries, and MUSC.
Mr. Edwards joined MUSC's College of Medicine in May 2001, attending every special lecture series and becoming a member of the OB/GYN Interest Group. While on clinical rotations this year, he became known as an enthusiastic worker and a compassionate medical student.
A memorial service was held June 17, at Bethesda Friends Meeting in Dunn, and Mr. Edwards was buried on June 19, in Lynchburg, Va.
He is survived by his mother; brothers Howell Edwards and Stuart Edwards; and sister Ann Naylor.
I feel privileged and honored to have known a man such as Allen.
His countenance and his demeanor in all circumstances reflected his faith.
His humble, loving, and gentle spirit reaffirmed for me what is important
in this life. He lived each day in grateful appreciation, expressing gratitude
for all things great and small. He had a powerful impact on his fellow
students and his professors. I want to live more like Allen did.
—Jennie Ariail, Ph.D., Center for Academic
Excellence
Everyone who knew Allen has an “Allen” story, and these stories
that we use to comfort and console ourselves all focus on that amazing
combination that was Allen—his laconic style, his complete authenticity,
and ultimately, his rare goodness that was a gift to so many of us.
—Shannon Richards-Slaughter, Ph.D., The Writing
Center
Allen Edwards was as kind a person as many of us will ever meet.
Sincere
and gracious, I never heard anything but kind words from him. He
was the oldest student in our class and set an example for the rest us
in how we should respect others, listen to them, and appreciate who they
are and what they think. Many knew him to be quiet, probably because he
was busy listening. Our class will not be the same after Allen's death,
not only because of the grievous loss but also because of the positive
impact that knowing Allen has had on us. May our prayers be for God to
comfort Allen's family and for us to remember his kindness, and to be better
doctors in imitating it.
—James Green, COM, Class of 2005
When you have more than 570 students, it is difficult to remember
each one's name and personality. Allen always stood out from the crowd.
His gentle and calm nature made a mark on me very early on, and I knew
that one day he would become a physician who would endear himself to all
he met ... I'm certain that he would have made the expectant moms, GYN
patients, and anyone else with whom he interacted feel calm and assured.
—Candace F. Gillespie, COM Dean's Office
Anybody will tell you that Allen had the kindest, gentlest spirit
and that he was always willing to lift your spirits with his half-smile
and soft-spoken wit. Allen was neither cynical nor judgmental, but
was appreciative of even the smallest things. When lunch was provided for
a group meeting, Allen would say “that was sure nice of them to do this.”
Allen lived his faith daily by loving his neighbors without expecting anything
in return. All of us at MUSC are better for having known him.
—James Spencer Gainey, COM, Class of 2005
Allen had the qualities that we look for in physicians. He was
conscientious, caring, and dedicated to his chosen life's work. He
will be greatly missed.
—Jerry Reves, M.D., Dean, College of Medicine
Friday, June 25, 2004
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