PURSUiNG MEdicAl cAREERS AFtER SERviNG thEiR cOUNtRy

think of things other than yourself,” Harnish said.“Community outreach in Lebanon is essential. Inevery age range, there’s a need for education in healthcare and healthy living.”The Lebanon Health Career Ladder is a programpatterned after one started at WesternU in Pomona.COMP-Northwest is partnering with pharmacy andveterinary medicine students from Oregon StateChildren from the Sweet Home Boys and Girls Club learnabout the Sweet Home fire and ambulance district. University to introduce younger students to the healthcare professions.field. They learned how to use a stethoscope andblood pressure cuff, CPR and first aid techniques, andthey watched a demonstration of osteopathicmanipulative medicine (OMM) techniques.“We want to make a difference in the community andyour organization,” Muscato said. “Our first-yearstudents will pass these projects on to next year’sincoming class. Second-year students do not haveMennonite Village in Albany is one of the largest longtermcare facilities in the state. Five COMP-Northwestservice learning projects, but they can continue tovolunteer in these organizations on their own.”students volunteer atLydia’s House Alzheimer’sand Dementia Carewithin MennoniteVillage, interacting oneon-onewith residents.They held a cookiebaking and decoratingparty for Valentine’s Dayand plan to go on walksand participate in dailyThree new collaborations willbegin in the fall with theincoming Class of 2016: MightyOaks, a school in Albany fordisabled children; Albany HelpingHands, providing shelter for thehomeless; and Planting Seeds ofChange, where children will learnabout nutrition while growing andharvesting food in communityactivities.COMP-Northwest student Gregory Emfield gardens. COMP-Northwestand his dog, Bigsby, visit Mennonite Villagestudents will also provide recipe“Working with elderly in Albany.demonstrations at farmers marketspeople has a special placeto promote healthy eating.in my heart. I’ve done it since I was little,” saidCOMP-Northwest student Valerie Harnish, DO ’15.“Now that we’re in medical school, we can look atthings a little differently. We are able to see deficitsBefore the projects started, COMP-Northwest invitedfour local doctors renowned for their communityservice to speak to students.such as access to care problems. We’re at a good placeto notice those areas we can help fill.”“They shared their service for their community andinternational experiences with our students,” MuscatoThe work allows students to touch on many differentsaid. “So the purpose is really to motivate them andareas of health care - not just medical needs, but socialexpose them to service. Being a doctor is a higherneeds. Other potential projects include music therapycalling. There are multiple ways to serve. For some itand taking oral histories of the residents.comes naturally. We teach them the importance of“You’re removed from the school setting and forced to serving and how to serve.” – Rodney TanakaWesternU View Summer 2012 49