College of Medicine students honor Milton S. Hershey’s legacy through service to community
Penn State College of Medicine students and leadership recently stepped out of the classroom and into the community to celebrate Milton S. Hershey’s birthday in true Milton S. Hershey style: By working to better the world around them.
During Community Giveback Week in September, students rolled up their sleeves at the Hershey Community Gardens, baked muffins and cookies for families at the Ronald McDonald House, and supported food distribution with Cocoa Packs and Spring Creek Church of the Brethren.
Kirtanaa Muthukrishnan, a first-year medical student at the College of Medicine, participates in the Cocoa Packs food distribution at Spring Creek Church of the Brethren on Wednesday, Sept. 10.
“The light and love brought to the children we assist by College of Medicine students was an inspiration,” said Christine Drexler, founder and president of Cocoa Packs. “When we stand together to help one another, it’s our finest hour.”
Students also helped brightened the day for young patients at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital by assembling craft kits and cleaning wagons and cozy coupes.
The week wrapped up with the PULSE student group, joined by other local high school students, writing over 300 cards of encouragement for Children’s Hospital patients and staff.
For many students, Community Giveback Week was a chance to connect with their Hershey home on a deeper level.
“I’ve felt very much at home after moving here from California, and Community Giveback Week was an incredible way to get to know the people here,” said Jackie Liang. “It also helped the community see their future health care workers putting in an effort – it serves as a bridge and better establishes the relationship between the hospital and community.”
Gabe Chang, left, Saad Khan and Jackie Liang, first-year medical students, volunteered their time during Community Giveback Week to clean cozy coupes for Penn State Health Children’s Hospital patients on Thursday, Sept. 11.
Other volunteers emphasized the impact on those they were serving.
“I wanted to contribute to getting food to members of the community that may be suffering from food insecurity and learn more about their unique struggles, to better inform future outreach,” said Paige Roeschenthaler, who volunteered at the food distribution event.
Students also shared why it was important that the College provides these opportunities to give back – and how those experiences could shape the future of health care.
“As health care workers, we will undoubtedly be met with challenges related to social determinants of health and inequity,” said Roeschenthaler. “If we are truly committed to our mission to help others, we must also be agents of change in helping our community overcome systemic barriers.”
“This opportunity reinforces the College of Medicine’s belief that the role of a physician extends far beyond the walls of the clinic or classroom,” said Hunter Leech. “Humanism is a guiding pillar of education here, and this opportunity demonstrates that the first act of healing is a genuine human connection with others.”
First-year medical students from Penn State College of Medicine volunteer in the Hershey Community Gardens during Community Giveback Week on Monday, Sept. 8.
That spirit of connection traces back to where the College of Medicine began. In 1963, Milton S. Hershey’s vision started to become a reality with the fabled “$50 million phone call,” when the M.S. Hershey Foundation pledged a transformational gift to Penn State to create a medical school, research powerhouse and teaching hospital in Hershey.
Paired with Penn State’s land-grant mission of service, that generosity laid the groundwork for Penn State College of Medicine and Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Each year, Milton S. Hershey’s birthday on Sept. 13 serves as a reminder of the vision, compassion and spirit of giving that built the College – values that continue to guide how students learn, serve and care for their community.
Community Giveback Week, led by the Office of Student Affairs, will continue to expand each year in honor of Milton S. Hershey’s legacy.
See more photos of our students in action
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