RALEIGH — The School of Osteopathic Medicine’s Student National Medical Association chapter volunteered with Habitat for Humanity of Wake County on Sept. 20, to assist with building two houses in south Raleigh. Under the supervision of Habitat team leaders, 12 medical students — along with spouses and friends worked alongside two families to frame and roof their future homes.
“It was a humbling experience that brought our classmates together,” said Brooke Williams, SNMA President. “A construction site is very different from a medical school classroom — we were all on an equal playing field performing hands-on tasks and using basic communication skills.”
The students said they enjoyed contributing to the community with a responsible organization and were proud to learn the Habitat team leaders knew Campbell well.
“Everyone has said they want to do it again in the spring, and the Habitat team leaders are interested in possibly doing a project closer to Campbell,” said SNMA Vice-President Tarreyca Taylor.
Habitat Wake was named a 2013 National Green Building Standard Partner of Excellence because their “building standards are driven by both a commitment to being good stewards of the environment and to keeping homes affordable.” This really made an impression on the Campbell students.
“The families were there participating in the build, and the home will be affordable for them in regards to house payment and utilities – that is amazing” said Williams.
Serving the underserved in North Carolina is an essential part of the medical school’s mission, and the students say they enjoy acts of service — medically oriented and not. Second-year medical student Adam Foster had previously volunteered as an undergraduate with Habitat in Huntsville, Ala., and he said this experience was just as rewarding.
“Aside from the new skills I acquired, I truly enjoyed working alongside the future homeowners of the Habitat houses, the builders, and my classmates,” he said. “It was nice to give back to the community in a different way — namely one that took me out of my comfort zone of medically related volunteering. This experience really gave me a new perspective on generosity and selflessness and further demonstrated how committed CUSOM students are to serving their community.”
SNMA will support student organization-sponsored service projects this school year such as the Tee-Off for Charity Golf Tournament, Operation Christmas Child and Healthy Kids Fun Day.