PCOM Georgia Students Provide Support to Community Members

December 22, 2022

Along with their studies and the busyness that precedes the holiday season, PCOM Georgia students have donated many hours to their communities.

“It was truly life-changing to help members of a community that really need help and do not have the same access to resources that we do, having lived in the United States for years,” said Ryan Almodovar (DO ’25).

On December 1, students and faculty members in the osteopathic medicine program conducted blood pressure checks and distributed gifts to more than 150 families at the Annual Resource Fair at Sara J. Gonzalez Park. The event was organized by Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens’ Office of International and Immigrant Affairs.

According to Almodovar, the president of the Latino Medical Student Association, the attendees included immigrants and their children who have limited access to healthcare resources. Almodovar and Iliana Treto (DO ’25) conducted blood pressure readings and diabetes health risk assessments in Spanish and English. Those undergoing the tests were given gift cards by Flo Byarms, director of the College’s Community Wellness Initiative. Enzo Ferrara (DO ’25) demonstrated PCOM Georgia’s Simbulance, the College’s mobile medical unit, to the attendees, including the kids “who enjoyed hearing breath and lung sounds emanating from the medical simulation mannequins,” Almodovar said.

Items donated by the PCOM Georgia community included books, toys, clothing, diapers and baby wipes. Other organizations provided boxes of food, milk and water bottles.

PCOM faculty and staff members also helped at the event. They included Andrea Mann, DO, FAAP, dean of the osteopathic medicine program; Brian Mann, EdD, MS, PA-C, chief of simulation operations; Victoria Troncoso, DO, chair of osteopathic manipulative medicine; Valerie Cadet, PhD, director of health equity curricular initiatives and associate professor of microbiology and immunology; Alisa Toney, senior director of development who serves on the park’s board of directors; and Kimberly Lucier, director of campus operations.

On December 16, 16 Biomedical Sciences graduate students led by the Graduate Student Council, in collaboration with members of Alpha Epsilon Lambda, the national graduate student honor society, and Graduates Representing Academic Achievement Diversity and Service or GRAADS, visited Atlanta’s Covenant House to decorate the campus and wrap presents for the residents. The not-for-profit organization provides housing to young adults from ages 18 to 24 who are experiencing homelessness.

Lori Redmond, PhD, director of the graduate program in Biomedical Sciences and professor of anatomy and neurosciences, said, “I’m really excited about this event. Out of their desire to encourage the young adult community, Biomedical Sciences graduate students initiated the event with Covenant House, which lifted spirits and brought smiles to many."

Students and faculty members also participated in Jolly Holly Day in Suwanee’s Town Center Park on December 2 providing blood pressure screenings and diabetes risk assessments.

The PCOM Georgia community has also received attention. The Student Osteopathic Medical Association and the DO Council provided a ”s’more” experience along with hot chocolate for the entire PCOM Georgia community on December 21. The tasty treats were set up in the Atrium, and students encouraged passersby to indulge in celebration of the holidays.

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