PNWU’s Prevention and Lifestyle Medicine Club was recently awarded the American College of Lifestyle Medicine’s (ACLM’s) Outstanding Community Engagement Award. The award celebrates the club’s practice of service and the time and energy the club dedicated to augmenting the bond that exists between students, physicians, and the communities within which they work.
“This accolade definitely goes to all the hard work and dedication the club members have put forth, as well as to PNWU’s faculty for their support and commitment towards community service,” said Vickie Sizemore, immediate-past president of the club.
Last year, the Prevention and Lifestyle Medicine Club set out with a goal to integrate into the local community to provide awareness and education regarding preventive medicine. “We posted up at the Yakima County Employee Health Fair, promoted the Culinary Medicine cooking classes so more medical students can become certified to conduct their own culinary medicine cooking class to the public, and hosted the Yakima Police officers to train them on health and wellness,” Sizemore explained. That specific event was highlighted at the ACLM Trainees Award Ceremony at Lifestyle Medicine’s 2020 Conference, where award winners were first announced.
“The collective passion and commitment of all members in our club, including previous student leaders and members who established deep roots for PNWU in the Yakima community, is reflected by this award,” said Robert Bhatia, the club’s current president. “I was ecstatic to see our club’s hard work, passion, and commitment being recognized at the national level, and I am honored to be a part of the club’s mission and commitment to serving our community as lifelong learners, educators, and supporters.”
Although the club is facing the many challenges associated with providing in-person services this year, they are planning ways to integrate themselves into the community through physically distanced means, Bhatia added.