Pulse

EVMS Medical Group cares for patients and the planet

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group of volunteers in a parking lot

Approximately 50 EVMS faculty, staff, students, and alumni gathered to support the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's annual Clean the Bay Day effort on June 1.

Clean the Bay Day encourages communities across Virginia to join forces in cleaning up local waterways and parks. This year, more than 64,000 pounds of debris were removed from beaches, parks, shorelines, streams, rivers and lakes.

EVMS Medical Group volunteers were charged with removing debris at Marshview Park in Virginia Beach. Over three hours, volunteers traverse nearly 50 acres, diligently picking up trash to help preserve local waterways.

"Participating in Clean the Bay Day is a wonderful way for us to give back to the community and environment,” says Po Chou, EVMS Medical Group Chief Executive Officer. “It’s inspiring to see so many of our colleagues and students come together with a shared purpose."

For many volunteers, this event was more than just a clean-up effort; it was an opportunity to bond with colleagues and friends outside of the usual work environment while contributing to a worthy cause. Ali Chambers and Laura Coakley, both members of EVMS Master of Surgical Assisting Class of 2015, saw the call for volunteers and made it a family affair. “We thought it would be a great opportunity to give back, catch up and get our families involved,” says Mrs. Chambers. “We want to lead by example and make sure our kids know it’s important to give back.”

As the day concluded, volunteers left Marshview Park with a sense of accomplishment and pride, knowing they had contributed to a cleaner, healthier Chesapeake Bay. EVMS organizers say they plan to continue their support for this vital cause in the years to come.