AUC is proud to share the work of several students who have been recognized by Danbury Hospital, one of AUC’s affiliated teaching hospitals, for their leadership in the community:
Rallying Students to Participate in Danbury’s Toy Bash Drive
Danbury Hospital will soon open a new 6-room pediatric unit as a part of the hospital’s Pediatric Ward. The multi-million dollar addition will allow Danbury to provide more specialized medical services in a healing and comforting environment.
As a part of the unveiling, the hospital is hosting a “Toy Bash” to help fill a toy box that will be available to all admitted patients. Laura Smith, Coordinator for Medical Student Education and Global Health at Danbury, applauded third-year AUC student Jake DeLalla for his help promoting the event and connecting AUC students with the important initiative.
Championing Health and Accessibility for Homeless Women
Meanwhile, third year students Yanet Camarena, Nicole Wakimoto, and Navneet Ladhard are leading a spring donation drive to support the Connecticut chapter of #HappyPeriod, a social movement that provides homeless and economically disadvantaged women with access to feminine hygienic products. For the next month, medical students and staff at Danbury and New Milford hospitals can drop off sanitary pads, tampons, sanitation wipes, underwear and other products at donation bins throughout the hospitals. Donated items will be packaged into care kits and distributed to women in need throughout the community.
“We are so proud of AUC students and thrilled that they find such meaningful ways to contribute to our community,” said Smith.
AUC students have long championed the #HappyPeriod movement. In 2016, AUC alumna and Drexel University Family Medicine Resident, Dr. Nikole Czapp, established a Miami chapter during her clinical rotations at Center for Haitian Studies. A year later, fourth-year student and soon-to-be graduate Elena Gueorguiev founded the Connecticut chapter while in core rotations at Danbury Hospital. AUC students have since continued their chapters, growing their total investment in the community and benefiting hundreds of women in need.
Pictured: Dr. Elena Gueorguiev, 2019 AUC graduate and Founder of the #HappyPeriod Connecticut Chapter, at Danbury's 2018 Mission Health Day.