Posted on Mar 19, 2012

Chamberlain and Melvin Receive Student of the Month Community Service Award

Chamberlain and Melvin Receive Student of the Month Community Service Award

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS February 2012 Undergraduate Student recipient: A’ja Chamberlain A’ja Chamberlain volunteers with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. The Big Brothers Big Sisters Site-based Plus program consists of creating a compatible match of a school-aged child (Little) and an adult volunteer (Big). As a match, Bigs and Littles form a friendship where they can play, laugh, and learn with one another. As a Big Sister A’ja is a strong and reliable resource for her Little Sister who faces adversity in various aspects of her life. A’ja does her best to help build a path that will lead to a bright future for her Little Sister and help her through any obstacles she may encounter along the way. She also encourages her Little Sister to give back by volunteering through different activities that they do. As a mentor A’ja devotes 1-2 hours/week in the school and 4-6 hours outside of the classroom once every month to spend time with her Little. In school they read, do homework, arts and crafts and eat lunch together. Outside of school they have volunteered together, baked holiday treats, made pizzas, watched movies and more. A’ja has been a Big Sister to the same Little for almost three years now, and she intends on continuing to provide guidance and inspiration to help her reach her fullest potential. February 2012 Graduate Student recipient: Kelle Melvin Kelle Melvin, a student registered nurse anesthetist (SRNA), is a very enthusiastic and motivational leader in the Nurse Anesthesia concentration. Serving as President for Cohort 2011, Kelle has taken an active role in leading her peers with pride. This past month, we celebrated National Nurse Anesthetist Week (a.k.a. CRNA Week), and Kelle once again stepped up to the plate with a smile! She helped coordinate the set-up, maintenance, man-power, and clean-up for 2 information booths set up in the College of Nursing atrium and Marshall Student Center. Information about CRNAs, the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA), and USF’s Nurse Anesthesia concentration was distributed to hundreds of USF students, faculty, and visitors. These booths were 100% student run! Kelle also worked with a group of fellow students to initiate our first fundraiser – a 50/50 raffle. She organized the details of who, when, and how the raffle would take place. Communication to all students and faculty was wonderful! The funds raised will help with expenses for all of our students when attending state conferences and educational activities. Kelle joined many of her fellow classmates in Tallahassee this past month to participate in CRNA Lobby Days. As part of the Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetists’ (FANA) Winter Meeting, 40 CRNAs and 37 SRNAs participated in FANA CRNA Lobby Days, January 29 – 31, 2012. The attendees personally met with over 70 legislators and staff. The objectives of these meetings were to educate and inform the legislators about FANA’s message.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS

February 2012 Undergraduate Student recipient: A’ja Chamberlain

A’ja Chamberlain volunteers with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. The Big Brothers Big Sisters Site-based Plus program consists of creating a compatible match of a school-aged child (Little) and an adult volunteer (Big). As a match, Bigs and Littles form a friendship where they can play, laugh, and learn with one another.

As a Big Sister A’ja is a strong and reliable resource for her Little Sister who faces adversity in various aspects of her life. A’ja does her best to help build a path that will lead to a bright future for her Little Sister and help her through any obstacles she may encounter along the way. She also encourages her Little Sister to give back by volunteering through different activities that they do.

As a mentor A’ja devotes 1-2 hours/week in the school and 4-6 hours outside of the classroom once every month to spend time with her Little. In school they read, do homework, arts and crafts and eat lunch together. Outside of school they have volunteered together, baked holiday treats, made pizzas, watched movies and more. A’ja has been a Big Sister to the same Little for almost three years now, and she intends on continuing to provide guidance and inspiration to help her reach her fullest potential.

 

February 2012 Graduate Student recipient: Kelle Melvin

Kelle Melvin, a student registered nurse anesthetist (SRNA), is a very enthusiastic and motivational leader in the Nurse Anesthesia concentration. Serving as President for Cohort 2011, Kelle has taken an active role in leading her peers with pride.

This past month, we celebrated National Nurse Anesthetist Week (a.k.a. CRNA Week), and Kelle once again stepped up to the plate with a smile! She helped coordinate the set-up, maintenance, man-power, and clean-up for 2 information booths set up in the College of Nursing atrium and Marshall Student Center. Information about CRNAs, the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA), and USF’s Nurse Anesthesia concentration was distributed to hundreds of USF students, faculty, and visitors. These booths were 100% student run!

Kelle also worked with a group of fellow students to initiate our first fundraiser – a 50/50 raffle. She organized the details of who, when, and how the raffle would take place. Communication to all students and faculty was wonderful! The funds raised will help with expenses for all of our students when attending state conferences and educational activities.

Kelle joined many of her fellow classmates in Tallahassee this past month to participate in CRNA Lobby Days. As part of the Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetists’ (FANA) Winter Meeting, 40 CRNAs and 37 SRNAs participated in FANA CRNA Lobby Days, January 29 – 31, 2012. The attendees personally met with over 70 legislators and staff. The objectives of these meetings were to educate and inform the legislators about FANA’s message.

USF Nursing Community Service Award Student of the Month Submit a Community Service Award application today and nominate yourself, a classmate or colleague for this meaningful award from the College of Nursing at the University of South Florida.

Contact constuawards@health.usf.edu for additional details.