2009-2010 AOA Events

October 2009:  AOA-Waring Historical Library Service Project

Continuing the AOA tradition of service to campus and community, student members dusted, vacuumed, and re-shelved books on the second floor of the Waring Historical Library for the Alpha Chapter's first service project of the 2009-10 year.  Mrs. Susan Hoffius, the Library's curator, facilitated the volunteer efforts, which took place on three afternoons in October.  Pictured below:  Junior AOA members Ashok Ramachandra and John Hungerford take a break from studying to volunteer in the Waring Library.  

October 22, 2009:  College of Medicine Fall Semester Awards Convocation

AOA student members were honored at the annual Fall Semester Awards Convocation and luncheon held in the auditorium of Gazes Cardiac Research Institute.  Dr. Christopher Pelic, our chapter Counselor and event emcee, recited AOA members' names before the gathering of students, administrators, and faculty.  Junior AOA member Stephen H. Finley was the recipient of numerous academic honors including the Thomas W. Holbrook Award, the American Society for Clinical Pathology Award, and The President's Basic Sciences Award.  Freshman student (and hopefully future AOA member!) Daniel N. Pasko, received the Dr Thomas Antley Pitts Award on behalf of AOA.  This accolade was "presented to a student who has gained the admiration and respect of classmates for their exemplary academic performance and fine personal qualities."  Mr. Pasko is pictured with his certificate below. 

October 10, 2009:  New Member Picnic Meeting

About 40 AOA members, spouses, and children attended this year's New Member Picnic Meeting hosted by Dr. and Mrs. Schabel at their Edisto Island farm.  Members enjoyed a barbeque meal, catered by Cricket & Kyle's, as well as Dr. Schabel's deep-fried alligator nuggets and blue crab egg rolls.  After several students tried their hand at cast netting and fishing from the dock, a brief chapter business meeting ensued.  President John Korman welcomed each of the members and talked about plans for the year; our Councilor, Dr. Christopher Pelic, spoke about AOA's mission; and our Treasurer, Dr. Alan Brown, delivered a report of the chapter's finances.  From the scenic porch view to the wild game decor, our chapter's visit to the Edisto Island farm was enjoyed by all who attended.  In past years, the Schabels have graciously opened their home to AOA, and we are thankful to continue this fine tradition.

September 20, 2009:  New Member Election Meeting

Our first annual meeting for the election of new student members was hosted by Drs. Chris and Christine Pelic in their beautiful Mount Pleasant home.  After socializing and enjoying a homemade meal, faculty and student members assembled to discuss the business of the meeting.  President John Korman explained this year's new election formula before we began the process of electing our newest members.  There were many impressive applicants this year and we are proud to announce the outstanding addition of 8 junior and 15 senior members to AOA.  The new members will be informally inducted at our October 10th meeting. 

September 3, 2009:  Day of Remembrance

This was a day of bittersweet remembrance for our chapter as we celebrated the life of Dr. James Granbery Ward, Jr., MD (November 27, 1934 - May 28, 2009).  Dr. Ward was a beloved member of the MUSC and Charleston communities, and he was particularly active in our AOA chapter.  Dr. Ward's personal charm, tender-heartedness towards children, and zeal for education were all apparent during the shared reflections of those participating in the service. (To learn more about Dr. Ward, please read his obituary here and the Catalyst article here.)  Organized by the Waring Library Society, the noontime memorial service at St. Luke's Chapel was attended by a large number of people touched by Dr. Ward's life of learning and service to others, including Dr. Stephen Schabel, MD, (our former chapter Councilor), Dr. Ray Greenberg, MD, PhD, (current MUSC President), and Dr. James Edwards, DMD, (former MUSC President, Governor of South Carolina), as well as a representative from our chapter's 2009-10 Executive Board.

August 21, 2009:  First-Year Medical Student Orientation

As part of our University outreach, Brendan O'Connell, our vice-president, delivered a brief PowerPoint presentation introducing the history and mission of AOA Alpha Chapter to incoming first-year medical students during their second day of orientation.  In addition, AOA handouts, designed by Secretary Annie Leylek, were included in student orientation packets. 

August 6, 2009:  Annual CV Writing Workshop

Approximately 25 third- and fourth-year medical students attended AOA's annual Curriculum Vitae Writing Workshop, held in BSB 402.  The noontime event featured Tom Smith, PhD, of the MUSC Center for Academic Excellence and Writing Center, who offered advice on how to compose high quality CVs for various professional purposes.  After the workshop, Dr. Smith fielded a number of questions from eager medical students.

June 29, 2009:  Third-Year Medical Student Orientation

John Korman, our chapter president, delivered a 30-minute lecture and PowerPoint presentation, entitled "A Day in the Life; Students' Guide to Third Year," to a filled Baruch Auditorium during Third-Year Medical Student Orientation.  The talk covered a broad range of practical topics, ranging from wards study/survival tips to campus Starbucks operating hours.