(BLUEFIELD)--A commitment to community service that arose as a result of state legislation five years ago has grown into more than 500 hours of volunteer work by the Bluefield State College Radiologic Technology class of 2003. Students in the program invest their time and talent to help organizations including hospitals, schools, fire departments, the Red Cross, and assisted living facilities.

"Students in the Rad.Tech program must work at least 20 hours in a volunteer capacity in a program or initiative that is either health care-related or college-related," explained BSC Rad.Tech program director Melissa Haye. The community service activity must first be approved by Haye or BSC Rad.Tech clinical coordinator Angela Lambert. "The students must select an activity that is not directly associated with radiologic technology," she added.

Some students have worked in hospitals, feeding patients, helping them from site to site within the facility, and answering questions at the information desk. Others volunteer their time at assisted living facilities, Veterans Administration Hospitals, area health care facilities, and more. "One student worked with the Ansted Fire Department during 'Bridge Day,'" Haye said. "Many have helped organize and administer walkathon fund-raisers for the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. One student organized an entire Bible School program for her church, using a health care theme, and another assisted the Special Olympics camp at Glenwood." The diversity of the students' projects is a strength of the program. "The students' volunteer activities take place across our entire service region," Haye said.

Each Rad.Tech student is required to log 1500 clinical hours in the program, and some expressed reluctance initially at the thought of committing 20 hours to a community service activity. However, once they've gotten involved, their perception has changed, according to the program director. "One student told me, "I'm glad you made me do this. I really learned a lot,'" Haye stated. The service initiative provides our students with an opportunity to give something back to the community," Haye summarized. "They gain a deeper appreciation for the satisfaction they received by helping others.

November 18, 2003