Monday, August 24, 2015

LUCOM-ACOOG hosts American Red Cross, sponsors first blood drive at CMHS

Mon, 24 Aug 2015Christopher Breedlove :: LUCOM Marketing

Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM) hosted Friday, Aug. 21, the American Red Cross for the first blood drive event hosted at the Center for Medical and Health Sciences since LUCOM opened in August 2014. The LUCOM student chapter of the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOOG) sponsored the afternoon event. With nearly 100 individuals signing up to donate, within five hours, 65 donors consisting of LUCOM faculty, administrative staff, and student doctors gave blood.

“Blood donations are vitally important and closely relate to the mission and vision of our college. Blood donations of all types help support those in serious surgical need, along with cancer patients, mothers and infants, trauma and burn victims; the list goes on,” said Ronnie B. Martin, Dean of LUCOM. “The success of our first on campus blood drive only proves that we have recruited top notch-servant minded student doctors who truly care about impacting the world; in this case, one pint of blood at a time.”

The LUCOM chapter of ACOOG is committed to helping student doctors get connected to the resources they need to pursue a career path in women’s health. According to Victoria Starr, second-year student doctor (Class of 2018) and president of LUCOM-ACOOG, this event while not geared towards women’s health primarily was meant to help awareness and reflect the mission of LUCOM. “ACOOG, at the very core, is about service. Blood donation is service that not only has the potential to positively affect women, but men, as well. A bonus is at the end of the day our members are able to connect with an incredible life saving organization and that makes us grow even more.”

Although the blood drive was only an afternoon event, Starr attributes the positive response to LUCOM-ACOOG’s outreach coordinators. “I have a powerhouse team of ladies working behind the scenes to make sure that the word got out about the blood drive and the recruitment of volunteers to assist the American Red Cross. My sincerest appreciation for Cassie Moison (2018) and Jenny Mikhail (2018).”

Most recently members of LUCOM-ACOOG demonstrated their commitment to service in other ways, traveling to Guatemala in the first LUCOM medical outreach. “Last year was a whirlwind of learning and practicing. While in Guatemala we encountered hundreds of women who needed examinations, ultrasounds, and osteopathic care. It was an incredible experience to put our skills into motion outside of our school; our members truly encountered life-changing moments,” added Starr.

Learn more about ACOOG.