VCOM - Auburn 2017 Yearbook

student organizations

T hroughout the year, the Hispanic Community Medical Outreach (HCMO) organization hosted events that supported VCOM’s mission trips, enhanced the cultural competency of students, and provided a fun, social atmosphere with a Latin twist! To celebrate Hispanic Heritage month, the VCOM family was introduced to some Latin flavor at the annual Fiesta Latina event that showcases authentic food, music, a piñata, face painting and salsa/bachata dance lessons. HCMO held another celebration with a Taco Day event for Cinco de Mayo. For El Día de Los Niños, the children of students and faculty were celebrated with treats, arts and crafts, and a movie entitled “the Book of Life.” HCMO has also offered physical activity events like a Zumba class and a soccer tournament to encourage wellness. Many of HCMO’s events served as fundraising opportunities to support VCOM’s mission trips with supplies and gifts. In preparing students for these trips, HCMO

offered Spanish classes as well as pamphlets filled with basic medical Spanish. Dr. Ricardo Maldonado, a guest speaker, provided students with excellent insight into the diseases that commonly affect the Hispanic population, and how to interact with Hispanic patients. HCMO officers gained further insight and inspiration to share with their members by attending the Latino Medical Student Association’s 2017 Southeast Regional Conference. educational workshops, improving leadership skills, and potentially recruiting Latino premedical students to VCOM. From attending conferences to hosting cultural awareness events and Spanish classes, HCMO takes great pride in contributing to the mission of VCOM by helping to prepare globally-minded and community-focused physicians. This opportunity allowed for networking, participating in

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