Monday, December 19, 2016
Mon, 19 Dec 2016 | Asa Keimig | LUCOM Marketing and PR Coordinator
Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM) hosted its first ever Christmas show, Osteopathic Merry Melodies (OMM), at the Lahaye Event Center on the campus of Liberty University (LU), on Wednesday, Dec. 7.
The idea for OMM came from Christopher and Kristen Breedlove when they were walking the halls of the medical school during early fall when Dusty Eck came to their minds. Eck, an inaugural LUCOM student-doctor, experienced a significant family tragedy this past fall that dramatically affected his family for the rest of their lives. Eck’s wife and two children were on their way to visit family when they were involved in a tragic car wreck. The accident left his wife and daughter injured while taking the life of his son. The Breedlove’s knew that Christmas would never be the same for Ecks, so they sought to bring some joy into their lives this holiday season. “We thought, what could we or any of us do,” said Christopher Breedlove, Director of Marketing for LUCOM. “We thought, ‘How about a Christmas show’ and then, all of a sudden, ideas were coming left and right.” The Breedlove’s then spent October and November immersing themselves into the creation of Osteopathic Merry Melodies. Kristen did all the creating, planning, and designing while Christopher focused on recording, editing, and producing the visual components of the show. “When the Lord lays something big on your heart and He begins to show you how the pieces of his plan will fit together, you can always know that God will provide all the tools needed,” said Kristen Breedlove, Executive Assistant to the Dean. “Medical School is grueling for student-doctors, faculty, and administrative staff but this show was an outlet of escape for a few hours and provided an experience full of joy and laughter.”
The LUCOM faculty and administrative staff greatly desired to bless Dusty Eck and his family during a difficult Christmas season and decided to have all proceeds from OMM be donated to him and his family. Tickets for OMM went on sale at the beginning of October for a suggested donation of $5 a ticket and were sold up until the beginning of the performance. The one-night performance of OMM welcomed over 400 guests and raised more than $2,100 in ticket sales alone.
OMM, was a Christmas show unlike any other, that featured a Rock N’ Roll Air Band, a Wellness workout dance featuring “Jimmy” Simmons, and a special shadow-dance illustrating the reason for the season – Jesus Christ, and much more. Lefty the Elf, played by Isaac Altizer, a LUCOM student worker, and Dr. Patton, played by Gary L. Patton, Ph.D., LUCOM Assistant Dean of Admissions and Student Services, shared the lead roles as Lefty tried to become reunited with Santa Claus all while learning the true meaning of Christmas. “The beauty of Osteopathic Merry Melodies was the relationship between the audience and the cast,” said Altizer. “The inside jokes and slapstick med school humor was fantastic for the environment.”
Guests laughed, cried, and danced their way through a night filled with song, slapstick comedy, and incredible memories. “Everything I have been told or heard has been extremely positive, incredibly heartfelt, and sincere,” said Christopher. “Once the cat was out of the bag and the show started, I knew it would quickly become something we do annually.”
On a night where agendas were filled with projects, meetings, and deadlines, Osteopathic Merry Melodies served as a valuable lesson that peoples’ hearts, and even minds, need to be reminded that there is a bigger picture. It’s more than simply finishing the next task or assignment, but putting someone else’s needs before your own and being a giver. The one-night performance of OMM was a smash hit will likely become a LUCOM tradition for years to come.
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