FAYETTEVILLE — Campbell University medical students began making rounds Monday, July 27, at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and four other regional campuses across North Carolina under the training partnerships established with community hospitals and clinics.
The 44 students training with Cape Fear Valley Health have spent the past two years studying at the Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine in Buies Creek. They will spend the next two years learning hands-on medicine alongside 100 of Cape Fear Valley’s physician medical staff.
To mark the program’s launch, Campbell and Cape Fear Valley held a reception for the students and invited guests Monday.
Dr. Samuel Fleishman, chief medical officer at Cape Fear Valley Health, brought greetings from the hospital staff, and Dr. Marion Olion, chair of the Cape Fear Valley Board of Trustees, affirmed Cape Fear Valley Health’s excitement for the Campbell students to continue their study of evidence-based medicine in Fayetteville.
“Cape Fear Valley Health is a vital partner,” said Dr. Jerry M. Wallace, chancellor of Campbell, as he congratulated the students on their accomplishments that have brought them to this next step in their medical education. “Together, we look forward to the day — just a few years down the road — when Campbell University physicians will be treating patients in the Fayetteville community.”
Dr. J. Bradley Creed, president of Campbell, addressed the medical students for the first time since taking office this month. “Healthcare professionals are the heroes of their communities. They are people you can trust and people who have dedicated their lives to serving others. We know you will be those heroes in this community.”
Two medical students with Fayetteville ties also spoke during the reception about what training at Cape Fear Valley means to them.
“I am excited to learn from physicians who are part of my community,” said Melissa Davies, a Fayetteville native who received her undergraduate degree from Campbell.
John Bunyasaranand is a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army’s Health Professional Scholarship Program and a 2015 Tillman Scholar who will return to active duty after graduation. “I am thankful for Campbell’s Fort Liberty campus where I completed my prerequisite courses that made it possible for me to apply to medical school,” he said.
He began his Army career in the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Liberty and later served with a ranger regiment and the 3rd Special Forces Group. “Returning to the Fayetteville community to complete the next two years of medical school is incredibly meaningful,” he said.
As he close the event, Dr. John Kauffman, dean of the medical school, said: “Congratulations,students for getting here and for choosing Cape Fear Valley Health. Together, Campbell University and Cape Fear Valley Health are training you – the next generation of physicians.”
Another ceremony to mark the start of rotations for Campbell medical students was held Tuesday at the Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Lumberton. Forty third-year Campbell medical students will complete their rotations there. — Sarah Bowman, Director of Communications & Marketing, Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine
Inaugural medical school class begins clinical rotations