MUSC The Catalyst
MUSC arial view

 

MUSC Medical Links Charleston Links Archives Catalyst Advertisers Seminars and Events Research Studies Public Relations Research Grants Catalyst PDF File MUSC home page Community Happenings Campus News Applause

MUSC Medical Links Charleston Links Archives Catalyst Advertisers Seminars and Events Research Studies Public Relations Research Grants MUSC home page Community Happenings Campus News Applause

 

return to The Catalyst home page


Pharmacy student is awarded for community service

by Hollen Dodds
Public Relations

Pharmacy student Liz O'Hara is more than just an ordinary student. A humanitarian with a passion for helping others, she works to make a difference in the lives of the Charleston homeless.

O'Hara is being recognized as part of the MUSC's National Women's History Month program in March celebrating its 2012 theme of "Women's Education – Women's Empowerment."

Fourth-year student O'Hara, who graduates in May, spends much of her free time working with local non-profit organizations in the Charleston area. She has volunteered as a student pharmacist since 2008, working to better serve the homeless with the CARES clinic and Crisis Ministries.

Liz O'Hara

Her efforts began a few years ago when she attended the Humanitarian Conference, a trip that was funded by President Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D. O'Hara was exposed to an organization called Operation Safety Net. This organization offers health care to the homeless, which is her passion.

O'Hara was inspired by Operation Safety Net and decided she wanted to try to bring some of the group's ideas to Charleston. "In my opinion, there is a huge gap in Charleston as far as homeless outreach goes. The health clinics for the homeless often reach only a handful of people at a time. This needs to change so that more people can have access to treatment, and MUSC has the personnel and the resources to institute exactly that change," she said.

It's O'Hara's compassion and leadership that won her the admiration of her fellow students and colleagues. She earned the Charles H. Banov, M.D. Humanitarian Award in 2011, receiving a $1,000 check. She also received the Walmart/Pharmacy Times Respect, Excellence, and Service in Pharmacy Award for the 2011-2012 school year.
O'Hara takes a humble approach to receiving awards. "It feels a little strange receiving an award for my service work, because through service to others, I believe we have the honor of fulfilling our highest purpose in health care, and through that action are supported and nurtured in our practice," she said.
 

 

Friday, March 2, 2012

The Catalyst Online is published weekly by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. The Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to The Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.