TCOM graduating class provides gift to Africa project

Alaniz
Dr. Alaniz

By Alex Branch

When graduation day arrived for the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2017, students still had $2,200 left in an off-campus bank account.

They could have spent that money they raised for class social events on a party or graduation gifts for themselves.

Instead, they chose something more meaningful.

The Class of 2017 donated their remaining funds to support UNT Health Science Center alumna Anne Alaniz, DO, and the Pothawira Foundation, which Dr. Alaniz co-founded to support women’s and children’s health care in her home country of Malawi. Dr. Alaniz, who addressed students at the May 20 commencement, was awarded the inaugural President’s Alumni Award for Distinguished Service.

Dr. Alaniz said she was grateful for the gift, which she told students came at a critical time. In her native African country, CT scan and x-ray machines are too difficult to maintain and process, so medical providers rely on a portable ultrasound to identity appendicitis, ruptured ectopic pregnancies, thyroid masses and more. However, the ultrasound recently broke.

The Class of 2017 gift will help cover the cost of a new ultrasound machine.

“In a developing country, ultrasound is invaluable,” Dr. Alaniz wrote the class. “Thank you a million times! Tell your class how grateful we are and what a huge difference this will make in Malawi.”

Jamie Kowal, DO, a member of the 2017 Class, said students were inspired by Dr. Alaniz and were eager to support her effort to improve lives in her native country.  To “serve others first” is one of UNTHSC’s core values.

“I believe this donation with a lasting impact speaks to the character of our class,” Dr. Kowal said.

Recent News

  • Community
|Apr 21, 2025

SaferCare Texas to host 2025 Patient Safety Conference at UNTHSC

SaferCare Texas at The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth will host the inaugural 2025 Patient Safety Conference on May 6 and 7 featuring a nationally recognized aviation expert and bringing together health care professionals, educators and community stakeholders to explor...
Usha Sambamoorthi
  • Our People
|Apr 17, 2025

Dr. Usha Sambamoorthi awarded top faculty honor at UNTHSC’s Spring 2025 Faculty Assembly, among six finalists

On Thursday, Dr. Usha Sambamoorthi, professor of pharmacotherapy in the College of Pharmacy, was awarded The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth’s prestigious faculty achievement award. Each year, UNTHSC faculty nominate one of their own to be considered by the Faculty...
Image
  • Community
|Apr 16, 2025

TCOM to be a pilot for Phase 3 of NBOME’s Core Competency Capstone project

The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth’s Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine is continuing its work with the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners as a pilot for Phase 3 of their Core Competency Capstone for Osteopathic Medicine project. Known as C3DO, the pr...
Screenshot 2025 03 19 082539
  • Community
|Apr 11, 2025

UNTHSC students take health care to underserved communities through medical missions

Three trips, thousands of miles and hundreds of students exporting health care from Fort Worth to numerous locations in Texas and Guatemala on medical mission trips offering free clinics to rural and underserved communities. More than 120 students and faculty from the Texas College of Osteopathic Me...