This episode features a discussion with PCOM students Hiral Patel (DO ‘22), PCOM Georgia, and Gabi Yankelevich (DO ‘21). Looking for ways to support their communities as the COVID-19 crisis deepened, Hiral and Gabi gathered with classmates and decided to organize and make a difference. In Suwanee, Hiral and others established a student-run service offering grocery shopping to local residents. In Philadelphia, Gabi and her classmates responded to the urgent need for personal protective equipment by raising funds to secure FDA-approved N95 respirator masks for local health professionals.

With the onset of a global health crisis, PCOM students have risen to the occasion and shown remarkable strength, resilience and, perhaps most importantly, humanity. I am incredibly proud of the work these and other students have done to represent the PCOM community, as well as their own communities, in a time of great need.