COM Outlook - Winter 2016

College of Osteopathic Medicine 13 Service Enhances the NSU-COM Educational Experience T he heart of NSU-COM’s community service program, which pulses throughout our local and international communities, is palpable and spreading like a highly contagious virus—an inspiration that will hopefully never be eradicated. Reflecting on the past five years since our students were first required to volunteer in community service, the number of personal accounts highlight how our students’ lives have been forever changed because they have gained a newfound understanding of the world around them and discovered their bigger purpose through service to others. The community- service requirement, which began when the class of 2013 was charged with completing 40 hours by the summer following the second year, evolved into an actual 80-hour course requirement starting with the class of 2014. By Debbi Cohn Steinkohl, M.H.S.A. Assistant Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health and Course Director of Community Service COMMUNITY and INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH Community service is a tradition for NSU-COM students, who shine as dedicated and passionate humanitarians. (Continued on next page)