Day of Compassion
Posted: January 17, 2012
ATSU-KCOM held its annual Day of Compassion events Oct. 19-21. On Wednesday, in a memorial led by ATSU President Jack Magruder, a moment of silence was held in remembrance of Flight 5966. The plane crashed Oct. 19, 2004, while carrying 13 passengers to ATSU-KCOM for a conference on developing a compassionate campus. Eleven of the 13 passengers died.
Also at Wednesday’s event, Lancer Gates, D.O., ’96, shared his experiences in learning and practicing compassion through personal stories of his journey at ATSU-KCOM. “Compassion is from the heart, is natural, and spontaneous,” he said.
On Thursday, Lance Borup, D.O., ’01, presented on compassion and humanism in medicine, encouraging students to consciously practice compassion and giving them three reasons why it’s important. “You’ll gain tremendous satisfaction unlike anything you’ve experienced before,” he said, adding, “You’ll naturally do a better job, and, studies show you’re less likely to be sued.”
Dr. Borup, a diagnostic radiologist at St. John’s Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Mo., also spoke about the tornado that devastated the city in May 2011. Learn more about hot sheet Dr. Borup and his wife’s experiences in Joplin on p.22.
On Friday, students put their compassion into action by visiting Twin Pines, Kirksville Manor Care Center, and Highland Crest nursing homes. The Day of Compassion events were sponsored by the Biomedical Sciences Club in conjunction with the Student Government Association Osteopathic Pride & Service Committee.