10
COM Outlook . Spring 2015
Project HOPE Assists Homeless
Pets at Camillus House
Last November,
Project HOPE (Homelessness in Os-
teopathic Predoctoral Education)
, in concert with the
college’s Public Health Student Association, began sponsoring a
SOMA Coordinates Cardio
for Cupid Event
On February 20, the
Student Osteopathic Medical
Association (SOMA)
held its Second Annual Cardio for
Cupid event, which is a Valentine’s Day-themed cardiovascular
health awareness day that focuses on fitness and healthy eat-
ing. The event, which was coordinated by OMS-II Catalina
Rodriguez (SOMA president), OMS-I Aadil Vora, and OMS-I
Michelle Hojnicki, was established to create a tie-in with Febru-
ary’s Heart Health Month as designated by the American Heart
Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The participants, who wore red in support of heart health,
included OMS-II Marco Casanova, who opened the event by
talking about his personal connection to cardiovascular health
issues, and OMS-II Siddarth Goyal and OMS-I Nishant Patel,
who played up-tempo music to energize the attendees. Activi-
ties included a 45-minute cardio workout session coordinated
by OMS-I Daniel Leary on the Terry Building patio that was
open to all HPD students as well as a last-one-standing squat
competition won by OMS-I Jared Ham-Ying.
“I make it a priority to get an hour of cardio or strength
training in every day after class,” said OMS-I Jamie Buldoc.
“I’ll do a spinning class in the NSU RecPlex or lift weights—
anything to get my heart pumping.” According to Leary,
COMmunications
pet donation drive to benefit homeless pets. Camillus House, the
largest provider of services assisting those experiencing homeless-
ness in Miami-Dade County, houses the only kennel for home-
less pets in South Florida. For those experiencing homelessness,
one of the barriers often faced when accepting shelter is that
man’s best friend is not permitted within most homeless shelters
and assistance centers. Consequently, many people will opt to
remain on the streets rather than accept shelter.
The Camillus House kennel is supported by volunteer vet-
erinarians and groomers, as well as by residents of the shelter.
Through this initiative, Project HOPE fully realizes the tenets
of osteopathic medicine, embracing health through an ap-
proach that understands the impact of animal companionship
on the human spirit. The kennel runs solely on the generosity
of donations and provides a range of services from food dis-
tribution and veterinary dermatology to deworming and basic
checkups. For those interested in assisting this worthy cause, a
box is located in the atrium in front of Steele Auditorium for
the donation of toys, treats, and nonperishable food.
“Cardio is a positive stress to the body that builds it up,” he
stated. “I think cardio helps the body respond better to the
stresses we face in medical school that are constantly threat-
ening to break it down, such as sitting for long hours in class
or staying up late to study.”
By OMS-I Aadil Vora, SOMA National Officer
