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By Steven Bartolotta

 
The Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Class of 2023 got their chance to lend a helping hand to the Fort Worth community as 236 medical students fanned out all across Fort Worth for a Day of Service.

The TCOM students divided into groups and spent the afternoon at 13 difference locations across the city. Volunteers helped in a variety of different ways, from restocking trailers for the American Red Cross, helping move furniture and supplies at a local middle school and painting and cleaning up a local night shelter.

“We are so proud to be joining some of our other UNTHSC programs in providing service to the community during orientation,” said Dr. Frank Filipetto, Dean of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. “It speaks highly to the values of collaboration and service to others that our university is recognized for and gives an opportunity where our students can begin to create and demonstrate their professional identity of being an osteopathic physician by providing service is so vital to our mission of providing solutions for a healthier community.”

The stop at the Red Cross had over a dozen students working vigorously outside in the scorching heat to restock and resupply mobile trailers that are used all across the region in times of disaster.

“Not everybody is fortunate to have these things provided for them, and even though it’s really hot, we would do it all over again if it meant helping someone in need in the case of a disaster,” student Linda Ahaiwe said.

Each of the volunteer groups had different jobs throughout the day, and they all appreciated the fact that this is part of their training.

“As future osteopathic physicians, we are taught to look at patients as a whole, and this is kind of looking at the community in a holistic manner,” student Kevin Benny said. “This is a very integral part of what we are going to be taught.”

The Day of Service is part team-building activities during orientation week for TCOM’s 50^th class of students. Along with volunteering and learning the value of serving others first, the students spent a morning learning about collaboration and communication with the group Leadership on the Move.

The entire day gave Benny and his classmates the chance to learn, listen and work as a group as they begin their journey through medical school.

“This is an incredible opportunity to bond with the students and the faculty, and it’s been a win-win situation,” he said.

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