A Helping Hand 10 stories about DOs and medical students who are volunteer superstars During National Volunteer Week, we recognize physicians and students who are making tangible changes in their communities and around the world. April 24, 2017Monday Ashley Altus Contact Ashley Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email National Volunteer Week is April 23 to 29. The week was created by Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to engaging people to serve. This week we honor those making a positive difference through community service and volunteer work. Here are 10 stories about DOs and medical students who embody the volunteer spirit of the osteopathic medical profession. Building bridges: DO provides care for underserved Asian-American community Erik Szeto, DO, founder of the Asian Health and Service Center in Portland, provides free health care screenings for local residents at its annual Asian Community Health Fair. Participants pose for a picture at the Asian Health and Service Center's 15th Annual Asian Community Health Fair. A DO volunteers as an emergency surgeon saving lives in an Iraqi war zone Timothy Burandt, DO, operates on patients injured by suicide bombs, gunfire, torture and land mines near Mosul, Iraq. Timothy Burandt, DO, is part of the Christian medical troupe, Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Assistance Response Team. DO ultramarathoner runs over 3,100 miles across US in 100 days Levi Rizk finished his journey running from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. in December to raise money for pediatric mobile health clinics. Levi Rizk, DO, prepares to run across the U.S. in 100 days. After Nepal earthquake, a med student and a photographer provide aid Zane Ahmed, OMS III, traveled to Nepal to help treat those in need. Children in Nuwakot receive hygiene supplies. Tuning in to good health with a side of Beethoven Playing violin with a medical orchestra that provides free performances allows this DO to give back to his community and connect with his creative side. Jasper Yung, DO, and Cynthia Chen, MD, recently performed with the the Detroit Medical Orchestra at the Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital in Michigan. Osteopathic medical student rehabilitates birds of prey With a heart for our feathered friends, Clayton Lester, OMS II, volunteers at Auburn University’s Southeastern Raptor Center. DO helps run free health clinic for 3,000 people annually Lt. Col. Natalie Nevins, DO, is the medical director for Care Harbor, a health care nonprofit organization that holds an annual free clinic event serving about 3,000 uninsured, underinsured and at-risk patients. Natalie Nevins, DO, at a 2015 Care Harbor event. Burnout & time constraints: Physicians and patients walk it out The Walk with a Doc program helps physicians connect with patients and empowers patients to take charge of their own health. Juan Querubin, OMS III, organized a local Walk with a Doc chapter in Harrogate, Tennessee. DO provided volunteer medical care at Standing Rock Last fall, Erica Rotondo, DO, treated protesters of the installation of the Dakota Access oil pipeline. Erica Rotondo, DO, volunteered at this medic tent on the Standing Rock Reservation in September. OU-HCOM book drive impacts curricula in Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Congo Led by Dana Maxwell, OMS II, osteopathic medical students collected over 400 book donations for medical schools, academic libraries and health clinics in Africa. The BPH Christian Medical School community in Congo unpacks donations from OU-HCOM. Interested in volunteering? Read about 4 unique volunteer opportunities for DOs and osteopathic medical students. More in Lifestyle Confronting burnout and moral injury in medicine Regarding burnout in medicine, “I knew there was more to the story than the frustration of dealing with administrative obstacles,” writes Jerry Balentine, DO. Nearly 70% of doctors in their 40s want to retire in their 50s or early 60s, survey reveals Medscape report finds that physicians, on average, would like to save $3.9 million to feel comfortable retiring from medicine. Previous article4 unique volunteer opportunities for DOs & students Next articleLearning OMT—and compassion—at a clinic for homeless patients
Confronting burnout and moral injury in medicine Regarding burnout in medicine, “I knew there was more to the story than the frustration of dealing with administrative obstacles,” writes Jerry Balentine, DO.
Nearly 70% of doctors in their 40s want to retire in their 50s or early 60s, survey reveals Medscape report finds that physicians, on average, would like to save $3.9 million to feel comfortable retiring from medicine.