VCOM 2022 Annual Report

Reaching Out to Our Home Communities (continued)

Carolinas Outreach Color Run — VCOM-Carolinas students, faculty, staff and loved ones came together and braved the cold and wind for the Viva! Color Run on Saturday, March 12, 2022. The event raised funds for St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic in Spartanburg, where many VCOM students gain valuable experience. The event featured a kids fun run, a 5K run, live DJ, food and an activities fair. Science Camp — VCOM-Carolinas, in partnership with Spartanburg Rotary Club, Gibbs Cancer Center and Spartanburg Regional, sponsored a Young Investigators Science Camp on Saturday, April 23, 2022. The camp gave kids some hands on experience in the Magnolia Lab, and is part of the College’s efforts to encourage youngsters in the community to pursue science and medicine as a career.

Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness — VCOM Carolinas Student Organizations SOIMA, AMWA and Oncology Club presented a “Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness” on Friday, October 22, 2021. Proceeds from the event benefited Spartanburg Regional Foundations’ Mammography Assistance Fund. The fund provides free mammograms for Bearden-Josey Center for Breast Health patients facing financial hardship Blood Drive — SGA, ACOEP and SOIMA organized the VCOM Cross-Campus Blood Drive Challenge to alleviate the shortage of blood for transfusions in the wake of COVID-19. The competition took place over two blocks and was split into two mini-competitions: one for Block 3/7 and one for Block 4/8. The competition between the VCOM-Carolinas Houses included an individual raffle. Overflow Thanksgiving — Early in November, VCOM-Carolinas students participated in a service project together with the United Way: Overflow Thanksgiving. Teams gathered and delivered a variety of non-perishable food

items for the project. It was part of an elective course whose objective is to provide a foundation of practical dietary choices, food knowledge, and basic culinary skills that consider economic and cultural diversity. The knowledge and skills gained will enable medical students and

physicians to effectively guide patients regarding food safety and make individualized nutritional recommendations when discussing plans of care. These skills will help the patients transition to a healthier lifestyle.

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