Student orgs collaborate

Two student organizations from Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine held an event to make “tie blankets” for Grace Center of Hope in Pontiac.

About 15-20 students from OUWB’s American Medical Students’ Association and Spools and Sutures teamed up in OUWB’s student lounge on Feb. 4.

Together, they created 15 tie blankets, which are made by tying two big pieces of fleece together. Materials were donated and/or purchased by the two student organizations.

The newly created blankets were donated to Grace Centers of Hope in Pontiac.

“We wanted to put together an event that would allow us to serve our local community while also giving medical students a chance to do something creative and interact with classmates,” says Sarah Provencher, M2, AMSA chapter president.

According to its website, Grace Centers of Hope (GCH) was established in 1942. It is one of the largest faith-based, long-term life skills programs for those afflicted by homelessness, addiction, and abuse in southeast Michigan.

Grace Centers of Hope offers programs for men, women, and children who are seeking shelter and healing for their souls.

American Medical Students Association (AMSA) is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the U.S. Among other things, the OUWB chapter aims to encourage physicians in training to explore their interests, discover their passions, and become inspired to take action about issues they care about.

The primary purpose of Spools and Sutures is to provide an opportunity for students to socialize while painting, card making, knitting, etc. for a common service benefit while also providing an opportunity for stress-relief and wellness.

Last year, the blanket-making event was held virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Provencher said while the group had a virtual backup plan, the plan was always to hold this year’s event in person.

“We really wanted to give students a chance to get together with classmates and do the event in person this year,” says Provencher.

Provencher also stresses the importance of giving back to the community.

“When we were trying to decide on events we wanted to be involved in the community,” she says. “And then with Spools and Sutures we really tried to get med students a chance to do things that aren't medical. And so, we thought that it'd be a perfect combination to give people the chance to get back to the community in a way that wasn't medically related and also gather safely in a small group with classmates to do something that's less stressful and creative.”

Among the students to volunteer at the event was Chance Stevenson, M1. He says he wanted to participate because he’s always looking to help out in the community.

“As medical students, we are often short on free time,” says Stevenson. “Doing stuff in the community where we can help other people and make a difference — that makes all the difference.”

Nataly Salman, M1, has similar sentiments.

“It's hard for us to make major changes with our time schedules and commitment to studying,” says Salman. “But we also have to make time to do the things we are all passionate about, which is helping out others in the community and making sure we're making a difference in that way.”

Stevenson says it’s all about making a difference to someone else.

“Maybe they feel appreciated because they had someone take the time to make blankets for them,” he said. “That, to me, is worth it.”

Alecca Como, M2, says that it’s important to create an experience that’s “creative and social” for patients every once and a while.

“I think that'll help us to remember why we do what we do as physicians,” Como says. “And remember to take a break and do something else for our patients once in a while that's not necessarily direct care.”

Hailey Brown, M1, also stresses the importance of being involved in the community.

“Ideally, I’d love to go into primary care,” Brown says. “And so outside of the clinic hours and being a doctor and everything that comes with it, I really want to participate in activities like this where you can have an impact other than just medicine.”