The Ross Medical Education Center campus in Brighton, Michigan once again honored local veterans during Veterans Day this year. Students, faculty, and staff designed and assembled cards for veterans receiving care at the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center. The school created more than 50 cards for the Voluntary Service Office at the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center to distribute to the veterans.
The Brighton campus knows that Veterans Day is the perfect opportunity to say thank you to hometown heroes, both past and present. According to the VA Department website, “The VA Health Administration continues to meet Veterans’ changing medical, surgical and quality-of-life needs. New programs provide treatment for traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress, suicide prevention, women Veterans and more. VA has opened outpatient clinics, and established telemedicine and other services to accommodate a diverse Veteran population, and continues to cultivate ongoing medical research and innovation to improve the lives of America’s patriots.” Because of their incredible work to improve the lives of veterans and the vast number of veterans they provide care for, this seemed like the ideal organization to partner with this Veteran’s Day.
One student in the Ross Medical Assistant program, April Cutting, wants veterans to know, “you make everything here at home possible! You all matter and are so appreciated.” April’s son is in the United States Air Force, and many of her other relatives have served as well. Her classmate, Lydia Kolasz, has a close friend in the Air Force. She feels it is important to thank veterans because they “protect and serve our country.”
Everyone at the campus was excited to be involved this year in this initiative and in making this Veteran’s Day special. Last year the school received a letter from the Chief of Voluntary and Chaplain Services, Beverly Conaster, thanking the campus for the cards. They are thankful to have been able to help make this year meaningful for veterans and their families.