No Tricks, Just Treats: Navigating Pharmacology and Giving Back

October sure ramped up in terms of curriculum intensity! My focus was completely on preparing for exams because there is no room for slipping with these challenging modules. Early in the month, we had an exam on the Neuromuscular module, followed by a second exam on the Autonomic Nervous System and Cardiovascular module in the third week. And just days from now, we’ll be taking yet another on the second part of Cardiovascular. There’s so much that goes into understanding the heart—it’s clear why it was split into two modules! Adjusting my study schedule and habits has helped, and I can see the benefits starting to show. 🙌 

Despite the nonstop studying, I did manage to make time for some impactful volunteering at Second Harvest Food Bank this month. The need in Louisiana is significant; with one in five households at risk of hunger, many families are facing difficult choices as rising costs for essentials like food, housing, and utilities take a toll. This is where Second Harvest steps in as a leading force against hunger in South Louisiana, distributing over 32 million meals to over 210,000 people each year across 23 parishes. Their efforts involve partnerships with over 700 community programs, which is incredible. 

My volunteer role was in the warehouse re-pack room, where I worked on sorting and categorizing donated foods. We repacked items like apple and orange juice, shelf-stable milk, Rice Krispies cereal, and various canned goods, including fruit, potatoes, yams, and chili. In total, we packed 662 boxes for distribution—a rewarding experience to know these would be on their way to those who need them most. 👏

I’m happy I was able to contribute to such an impactful cause, and it serves as a reminder of how important community service is, even amid the busiest times. I look forward to making a difference where I can, one box at a time. 😌💖

Happy Halloween! 🎃 

Monthly Community Service Hours Completed: 3.5 hours 
Cumulative Fall Semester Service Hours: 3.5 hours