HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Medical students from the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine volunteered with organizations throughout the Huntington community this week ahead of National Volunteer Week. 

More than 70 students participated in projects including: walking and playing with dogs at the Cabell Wayne Animal Shelter, working on exterior maintenance for Hospice of Huntington and picking up trash and debris around Ritter Park.  

“Medical students share a common desire to make a difference,” said Iram Kingson, a second-year medical student at Marshall University. “But even before we become physicians, we can volunteer our time and energy in our community to make the world a better place.”  

Additional medical students will wrap up this week of service Saturday at either Facing Hunger Foodbank or Marshall Medical Outreach (MMO), Marshall’s monthly student-led medical outreach that provides free medical care to the homeless, unemployed and those at risk for homelessness in Huntington. Under the guidance of School of Medicine faculty physicians and community volunteers, MMO offers on-site clinical and social services, including health screenings, physical exams, immunizations, ophthalmology services, referrals and over-the-counter medications. 

Throughout the year, students and trainees across the School of Medicine volunteer with various social service organizations, many of whom provide care to underinsured and uninsured patients. On average, the students log more than 7,000 hours of community service annually.