Students Honored for Community Service

Eighty-one UT Southwestern medical and graduate students have been recognized for community service with the President’s Volunteer Service Awards. Their work was part of the 24,000 hours of volunteer service UT Southwestern students performed from May 2011 through April 2012.

Award levels are based on hours worked. Gold awards recognize 500 hour or more; silver, 250 to 499 hours; and bronze, 100 to 249 hours.

Third-year medical student Stephanie Bezner informs Shamika Jones and her son, Damion Quigley, 1, about the importance of colon screenings at United to Serve, a volunteer event for UT Southwestern students.

UT Southwestern students earned 21 gold awards, eight silver, and 52 bronze. Honorees receive lapel pins for their award level. The Class of 2015 earned the most awards.

Suzi Smith, director of the Bryan Williams, MD, Student Center and project coordinator for volunteer service, said she’s proud of the hours and the work the students give to the community.

“We’re fortunate to have a student population that is very giving,” Smith said. “They come here to go to medical school, but they care about others and want to help.”

Mark Munns, a second-year medical student from Georgetown, Texas, and a gold award recipient, helped manage the Monday Clinic, organized a morning of community service for incoming medical students during orientation, and helped establish a dental clinic for homeless women and children.

A student volunteer checks Patricia Leon's blood pressure at United to Serve.

“Working at the Monday Clinic was easily the most rewarding and educational thing I have done in medical school,” Munns said. “It really solidified my desire to volunteer in similar clinics once I become a physician.”

The volunteer work was meaningful to him.

“I am in medical school for a variety of reasons, but wanting to make a difference is far more important than the others,” Munns said. “The stresses of medical school can wear on a person at times, but volunteering removes that burden. Improving someone's situation reminds me why I decided to go to medical school in the first place and puts life in perspective.”

Smith said the volunteer work is important for students and the community,

“It shows that as future physicians, they care and that giving back to the community makes a difference,” Smith said. “They’re compassionate and are helping people get health care and improve their lives, and that matters. People see positive things at UT Southwestern and students making a difference.”

Students, faculty, and staff can record their volunteer time at the UT System website. Contact Smith for more information or assistance.