44 While in the various clinics, he heard stories from multigenerational households about caring for wounds, farming accidents and job losses. He met families who had no jobs, no insurance and little hope. “We would talk about their physical, emotional and spiritual health, along with the importance of being a family,” McVay, 21, says. “Everyone has family problems, so it’s good when you can feel for your patients, and it’s OK to think about them the day, the week, the month after. “It’s good to give them hope and encouragement.” Cushing was McVay’s first rural experience after working with urban communities for more than four years. During his senior year of high school, he dedicated each Tuesday to volunteering for Good Samaritan Health Services in poor areas of Tulsa. “The area was very rough; however, being there helped give me more compassion and a clearer vision,” he says. “My experience with Good Samaritan was when I first decided to commit to a long-term vision of helping people through health care.” ‘Fascinating’ The 20-year-old Chá Reeder, a microbiology major, tagged along with Ferrell in August. The doctor-in-training calls the experience fascinating. “I want to go into general practice, so it was great to observe patients with all different needs.” Reeder, a Stillwater native and a selfproclaimed Cowboys fan since birth, says she has always wanted to stay within the OSU family. During high school, she toured the medical school once and later toured it as a college student — several times. “I fell in love with the program and its family appeal. I also appreciate how none of the medical students are fighting to be in a No. 1 spot, but rather everyone is working together.” OSU’s osteopathic medicine approach appealed to Reeder, too: “Viewpoints are changing, and there’s more of a focus on preventative medicine,” she says. “Instead of being stuffed full of medicines, people are looking for better ways of living. And osteopathic medicine’s way of treating diseases and the entire body works with that.” Chá Reeder “I fel l in love wi th the program and i ts fami ly appeal .”
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