Commitment to the Community

As faculty, staff and students of Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, we value social responsibility and the importance of giving back to our local and global communities. During the next year, we will be celebrating those who do so much for the communities in which we work and play through volunteer work and through their artistic talents.

This month we are featuring two people who have turned their interests into ways of helping others: Chris Murray, MD Class of 2016 and Dr. Robert Hammond, associate dean, admissions.

Young and Proud Group inspires young medical student

When Chris Murray, MD Class of 2016 arrived in Windsor this past September, he was actively seeking a volunteer opportunity. He found Young and Proud, a weekly group for young people between the ages of 14 and 26 years and who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ). With a Bachelors of Social Work and experience interning and volunteering with an organization that supports and provides resources for LGBTQ young people, he felt he could make a difference. Murray knew he could, based upon his own personal experiences. "As a queer person myself, I feel I am well-suited to providing support for Young and Proud."

Young and Proud operates as an open safe space where young people can come to gather, socialize, seek support, or just hang out and be themselves.

Murray serves as a facilitator with this group. In this capacity, he ensures that the space is indeed safe for everyone and he organizes and facilitates presentations, workshops, and discussion groups. He also serves as a peer, providing active‑listening support for participants in the group who want to get something off their chest or discuss a particular problem they are experiencing in their lives.

"It can still be very difficult to grow up as a young queer or transgendered person," said Murray. "Young people face a variety of challenges in their daily life, including issues ranging from depression, feelings of social exclusion, lack of acceptance and support from families and friends, drug and alcohol dependencies, homelessness, and a myriad of others related directly to their status as LGBTQ‑identifying."

As a volunteer, Murray works to empower and assist the participants. "I never presume to be the expert or to have all the answers, rather I help the young people realize they have the tools to solve their own problems and by linking them to various community or institutional resources along the way," said Murray.

Additionally, Murray was also involved with supporting a smaller group of young people from this group in completing a project called Young and Proud Speaks Out, which is a presentation series supported by a grant from the United Way. This presentation was delivered to Schulich Medicine students last spring, in association with the Open Meds Club.

"I find the kind of work I do with Young and Proud to be immeasurably fulfilling," said Murray. "I find that these young people are utterly inspirational and impressive, and it is truly a highlight of my week to learn of their triumphs and to see the ways in which they find innovative ways to solve their problems and support each other."

Paying it forward with coaching

Growing up, Dr. Robert Hammond, associate dean, Admissions, was encouraged by his parents, to try just about anything - within reason of course. Sports seemed to be a perfect fit. Fortunate to be able to play sports, Dr. Hammond developed a great appreciation for the coaches and the other volunteers who made it all possible.

As a form of gratitude and paying it forward, Dr. Hammond has been coaching both of his children in hockey (North London Nationals Hockey) and baseball (North London Girls Baseball) for the past 12 years.

"Coaching has allowed me to spend more time with my own children and to build memories with them in another setting," said Dr. Hammond. "I enjoy teaching and never tire of seeing a child's confidence grow. Getting to know other children, their families and my fellow coaches continues to be an absolute pleasure."

In the Hammond household, sports are encouraged for their many obvious social, mental and physical benefits. Through his coaching Dr. Hammond also hopes to engage other children in the benefits of physical activity, and reinforce the importance of effort, communication, collaboration and respect for others and themselves.

"The setting and title are different enough that it may not be obvious to some how similar coaching is to parenthood or to the mentorship that I think is the soul of medical pedagogy, apprenticeship and the camaraderie we enjoy," said Dr. Hammond. "If you enjoy being a parent, a teacher, a doctor - you are already prime coaching material."

Each month we will be sharing stories of the faculty, staff and students' commitment to the community. If you would like to share your story, let us know by email at comms@schulich.uwo.ca