It’s not every day that College of Medicine Dean Elisabeth Young, M.D. (’85), receives a package like the carefully wrapped gift bearing explicit instructions: Do not open until the Student-Run Free Clinic at NEOMED Student Executive Board meeting, Monday, Oct. 12.
When October 12 came, Dr. Young opened the package and discovered a sculpture by the renowned Akron artist Don Drumm – a surprise from the Student-Run Free Clinic Student Executive Board to recognize her commitment over the four years since the Clinic opened.
“I’m honored and humbled to receive this and I’ve never been more excited and prouder over my nearly 40 years at NEOMED. Thank you for leading the future of medicine by example,” said Dean Young.
Students provided numerous examples of her support, including rallying NEOMED leadership to attend Casino Night fundraisers for the clinic and promoting Casino Night around campus. Dr. Young has also sponsored a clinic day (covering the operating expenses for the patients served on an average day).
“Our students wanted to acknowledge Dr. Young’s unwavering support of the Student-Run Free Clinic and contribution to the publicity and success of fundraisers and this was a great opportunity to do so,” said Lacey Madison, M.B.A., M.Ed., the director of operations for the Department of Family and Community Medicine, which supports the Clinic.