Student Doctor Rachel Vance, SOPT Class of 2025, Honored for Civic Engagement, Community Leadership, and Social Entrepreneurship
The Washington Campus Coalition for the Public Good recently presented Student Doctor Rachel Vance, PNWU-SOPT Class of 2025, with their President’s Student CMC Leadership Award. The award recognizes outstanding student leaders for their work in civic engagement, community leadership and social entrepreneurship.
Student Dr. Vance, who serves as vice president of her class, was celebrated for her leadership in the SOPT’s Walk with a Future Doc program. A student-run affiliate of the national non-profit Walk with a Doc, Walk with a Future Doc is described as “a walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle.”
Once a month, Student Doctor Vance – alongside SOPT faculty and fellow PNWU health sciences students – welcomes community members to join her for a walk around the Yakima Arboretum (or the Yakima Valley Mall, upon rare inclement weather). Participants in the walk spend a few minutes learning about a current health topic from SOPT faculty and students, then spend the rest of the hour enjoying a healthy walk and lively conversation.
“Walk with a Future Doc allows me to give back to the community where I grew up,” said Student Dr. Vance. “I have always noticed a need for improving not only health literacy, but also providing opportunities for increasing physical activity within the community.”
“I definitely couldn’t have made this happen without the support of the Physical Therapy department and my classmates,” added Student Dr. Vance. “I think this is a great way for the community to learn more about PNWU, the variety of healthcare programs here, and to create connections with their future doctors.”
