VCOM 2025 Annual Report

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OUTREACH

Blood Drive Oct. 13– VCOM-Carolinas partnered with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive. Students, faculty, and staff were encouraged to make a blood, plasma, or platelet donation at the event. Christmas Toy Drive Dec. 1-8– The VCOM-Carolinas chapters of the Student Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (SAMOPS) and American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians (ACOP) partnered to host a Christmas Toy drive for the Greenville County chapter of Toys for Tots. Food Drive VCOM-Carolinas Food and Nutrition as Medicine (FANAM) and its chapter of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) partnered for a food drive to restock the pantry at St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic.

Fundraisers, Awareness, Food, Toy, and Blood Drives Bone Marrow Donor Drive Feb. 26– DKMS, an international nonprofit bone marrow donor center, hosted a donor drive at VCOM-Carolinas. DKMS strives to raise awareness about blood cancers and blood disorders and how it affects people. Canned Food Drive July 28-Aug. 22 – The VCOM Carolinas chapters of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons (ACOS) and American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) partnered to collect canned goods for an outreach project benefiting the underserved population of Spartanburg. Race for Wellness April 12– This event was a fun, colorful run (or walk) in support of St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic. Prizes were given for the Largest Team, Most Colorful, and Most Original.

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I chose to attend VCOM because of its mission to serve underserved communities, and I’ve tried to live up to that through volunteer work and community outreach programs. Whether it was handing out hygiene kits to people experiencing homelessness or translating for patients who otherwise wouldn’t be able to communicate, I’ve made service a central part of my training.”

Yash Desai ’26 VCOM-Virginia, F.W. “Sonny” Merryman Jr. Family Endowed Scholarship