Celebrating our Commitment to the Community with Kunal Jain, Dr. Wai Ng and the Pathology Department
With passion for giving back, Kunal Jain, Dr. Wai Ng and staff and faculty members from the Department of Pathology are all making a difference in the London community.
Kunal Jain, third year BMSc student, connects on a personal level with his community work. He volunteers with Adult Blind Swim London and Making Waves London as a swimming instructor, working with special needs individuals. Having special needs members in his own family, Jain says giving back in this way helps him pay the support and care forward.
The experience has been life changing. “I am now motivated to continue working with vulnerable individuals of our communities,” he said.
Jain is also the President of Friends of Médecins Sans Frontières at Western. “Our wonderful team of dedicated volunteers collaboratively encouraged the University and London community to engage in global health issues,” he explained. The group was recognized with a University Students’ Council Community Impact Award for the 2013-2014 year.
Dr. Wai Ng, associate professor of clinical neurology, is the Chapter Director of the Think First London Chapter, an international organization whose mandate is to bring injury prevention to the primary school curriculum.
The organization usually presents to more than 1,000 grades five and six students per year with the help of Schulich Medicine student volunteers.
“By working with medical students and young children in the community, I can continue to raise awareness about sport injury and promote prevention,” said Dr. Ng.
Dr. Ng believes his work with Think First is a chance to give back to not only the community, but to also enrich the education of Schulich Medicine & Dentistry students.
Faculty and staff from the Department of Pathology support the community by volunteering at the regional Ronald McDonald House, a temporary housing facility where families of seriously ill or injured children can stay during treatment.
The group organized a team to help prepare dinner for more than 60 people. “It is nice for them to not have to worry about the time and expense of making their meals,” said Lisa Walker, staff member in the department.
Staff and faculty from the department are hoping to start a bi-annual tradition of making dinner for the Ronald McDonald House families. “We had a lot of fun and it was a wonderful experience.” she said. “I’m looking forward to making more meals together in the future.
“It’s a great feeling being able to give back, there’s nothing like it.”
