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NSU-KPCOM Pediatrics Club Updates
Steward K, Zaidi Z, Teixeira G, Wassef J, Weaver C
Nova Southeastern University, Davie, Florida, United states
Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Pediatrics Club is one of the largest, most active clubs on campus. Our members are passionate and constantly engage in community and university events. We provide a vast array of opportunities for our members, ranging from hospital experiences to community service. This year, we have set goals to become more involved with Nova Southeastern University’s undergraduate population. Increasing relations will expose these students to various opportunities, which will hopefully strengthen their interest in medicine. They will be co-supporting our upcoming St. Baldrick’s Brave the Shave Event and P’Jammin 5k in March 2018. This event is held to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research.
We pride ourselves in giving back to the community. In doing so, we have continued to participate in annual community health fairs such as A Day for Children, NSU Community Fest, The Expo Disability Fair, and Give Kids a Smile. Throughout these health fairs, our members have created bonds with children by engaging them with interactive organ vests, face painting, and balloon animals. Not only are we engaging children in our immediate community, but we have also initiated a communication program with children in Haiti. Members are matched with a student who they video chat with weekly, allowing the Creole speaking student to practice with a native English speaker. This program helps our members and Haitian students learn more about the other’s culture while increasing respect and understanding between nations. To follow up with the student and their community, members continue to go back to Haiti on medical mission trips. Over this past winter break, several Pediatrics Club members went to Haiti to serve these children and the medically underserved community they live in.
Over the past 6 months, we have invited four different pediatric subspecialists to speak at club meetings. To honor the physicians who have made a lasting impact on our members, we will be holding our annual Melnick Awards and Dinner ceremony this March where the Dean of the NSU KPCOM has joined us in previous years. We are also planning to host a Residency Dinner where a panel of residency directors and residents speak to our members about applying to various pediatric residency programs.
School breaks are not just days of relaxation for our members. Many have participated in medical missions trip in which they provided healthcare to villages in Haiti, Jamaica, and Ecuador. A few have also held roles as camp counselors at camps for children with medical ailments such as Camp Kudzu, Camp Funrise, and Camp Boggy Creek. The NSU KPCOM Pediatrics Club is proud of the selfless work members have contributed to the community. Hours upon hours of education and service to the children has lead to long lasting relationships that will continue to blossom throughout the following years. We hope our impact will inspire children to follow their dreams and envision a better tomorrow.
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