A typical medical school orientation at KU Medical Center is filled with excitement, anxiety and inspiration all at the same time. Students are introduced to classroom structure, how to study effectively and what classes they’ll be taking over the next fourplus years.

In a nutshell, this first week gives first-year (M1) students a preview of what the rest of their life may be like as a doctor.

Even if they don’t remember all of the advice they are given or all the forms they sign, most students look back at the week and remember one day in particular – M1 Volunteer Day.

Usually held on the Thursday of orientation week, M1 Volunteer Day is an opportunity for students to get to know their fellow classmates and also become intimately acquainted with the Wyandotte County neighborhood where they will be studying and living for at least the next two years and possibly longer. Students are divided up into groups and work on projects such as building a Habitat for Humanity house, gathering school supplies for neighborhood children or painting walls of a community center.

Josh Brautigam is a second-year student who has completed his second M1 Volunteer Day. “This is a day that not only lets students know the avenues where we could volunteer in the future, it also lets the community know we are willing to roll up our sleeves for them,” he said.

Brautigam signed up as a leader in 2007 because he believed his group really made a difference at M1 Volunteer Day the year before. This past year, he and his fellow students worked on a house being built by Habitat for Humanity. He said they struggled a bit because most people didn’t have a background in any kind of painting or basic carpentry, but they excelled at teamwork.

“I was really surprised at how everyone worked together,” he said. “More than anything though, I just wanted to help the new students have a good experience.” This is also the day many true friendships are formed at KUMC, because it’s one of the first times many of the medical students interact with one another and work together to accomplish a goal.

“The experience makes being a medical student feel not as school-intensive, and it helps people know what KUMC has to offer by getting our name out there,” said Jill Arnold, a second-year medical student who also served as a leader.

Arnold, who led a group that sorted school supplies for young children, said the day essentially serves two purposes: it unites fellow classmates and ties the students to the Kansas City community. “Orientation week prepares us for our education and training at KUMC, but the service day reminds us that we are entering a field of service to our neighbors,” she said.