COM Outlook Summer/Fall 2020

12 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE wipes, hand sanitizer, and vita- mins, to the song Toosie Slide by Drake. Shared on Facebook, Instagram, and even the American Associa- tion of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine social media accounts, the message served as a morale boost. “We wanted to bridge the gap between campuses, showing that when we all work together, we can truly accomplish incredible things,” Tawakalzada explained. Surpassed Expectations By May, more than 345 donations and 100 student fundraiser social media pages helped surpass the initial $10,000 goal, as nearly $17,000 was raised. Additionally, NSU’s Pan SGA awarded the initiative additional funds to help make an even greater impact on the commu- nity. As a result, around 100 care packages were assembled and delivered to the Cleveland Clinic in Weston, Florida— each consisting of pasta, pasta sauce, popcorn, cough drops, tissues, coffee, playing cards, and a thank-you card for those on the front lines. Furthermore, 50,000 FDA- approved PPE units that contained disposable masks, surgical masks, shoe covers, and N95 masks were purchased and delivered to four hospitals in Florida. Remaining funds went toward providing financial relief for patients affected by COVID-19. Med Students Against COVID-19 was just one of the many ways the KPCOM served the community during the pandemic. Donations made by KPCOM faculty and staff mem- bers to the KPCOM COVID-19 Cares Fund totaled more than $15,000 and are already helping those in the college and the Health Professions Division who have been monetarily affected due to the virus. The KPCOM’s Interna- tional Medical Outreach Club also donated $5,000 to the Broward Health Foundation to provide COVID-19-related support in the Broward County community— further highlighting the power of virtual activism. “Our KPCOM, alongside NSU’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allo- pathic Medicine, collectively completed and surpassed our three objectives,” Tawakalzada said. “This was an incredible accomplishment that illustrated how willing our student body is to get involved and make a difference. Our NSU medical students are truly remarkable.” o INITIATIVE LEADERS Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine • Aneil Tawakalzada , class of 2023 president (Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus) • Joel Davis , class of 2023 president (Tampa Bay Regional Campus) • Asad Ali , upcoming SGA executive president- elect (Fort Lauderdale/ Davie Campus) • Nadia Ahamed , upcom- ing SGA executive president-elect (Tampa Bay Regional Campus) Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine • Jack Bayer , class of 2023 president • Jacob Oster , class of 2022 president • Shadi Baajour , SGA executive vice president of external affairs CARE PACKAGES AND CASH From left: First-year Executive Board members Minh Chung (mental health chair), Harsh Patel (vice president), Lexi Gabro (secretary), Aneil Tawakalzada, Aakangsha Jain (treasurer), and Heather Silverstein (programs chair) pose with the assembled care packages.