L-R: Steven Utroska, Dr. Italo Subbarao, and Allen Anderson. Our many thanks to Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine at William Carey University, Dr. Italo Subarao, for providing our program on Tuesday.
Steven Utroska presided over today’s meeting. Brandon Hodges provided the invocation. Joe Meador led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Steven Utroska and Steve Ramp served as our greeters today. Mike McPhail introduced our visitor. Lachel Story is a guest of Wes Brooks.
Steven asked people to volunteer to assist with the Meals on Wheels program. Volunteers are needed for this week. Sean Priebe reported that the fundraising committee continues to make progress on the bingo event being planned for February 4. Volunteers and donations were encouraged.
Steven reminded Rotarians that next week will be the fifth Tuesday of the month so the Club will not meet.
Steven then read a brief article about the beginning of the Polio Plus project. It is now celebrating its 40th year and has virtually eliminated polio. Over 1.8 billion dollars have been contributed by Rotarians across the world. Ninety-nine percent of polio has been eliminated since 1979.
Allen Anderson then introduced today’s guest speaker, Dr. Italo Subbarao, DO, MBA, Dean, College of Osteopathic Medicine at William Carey University. Subbarao joined the WCU College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2012, serving as associate professor of clinical sciences and later senior associate dean. He is a leader in domestic and international disaster response and has provided field and technical support during large-scale emergencies like earthquakes in Haiti and Pakistan, shootings in Mumbai, and hurricanes like Katrina – which brought about his first visit to Mississippi in 2005.
Seven years later, having worked as an emergency room physician and disaster fellow at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and director of Public Health Readiness for the American Medical Association, Subbarao arrived in Hattiesburg.
Seven years later, having worked as an emergency room physician and disaster fellow at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and director of Public Health Readiness for the American Medical Association, Subbarao arrived in Hattiesburg.
The College of Osteopathic Medicine at William Carey University started almost ten years ago. The College currently accepts 100 students each year. The size of the incoming class will grow to 150 in the 2020-21 academic year, 175 in 2021-22, and 200 in 2022-23. The effect of this change will be to increase total enrollment from 400 students to 800 students.
Dr. Italo Subbarao highlighted four factors supporting the expansion: 1) WCU’s demonstrated commitment to producing primary care physicians for underserved populations; 2) its partnerships with state-level agencies working toward the same goal; 3) three buildings that will provide an additional 35,000 square feet of classroom, laboratory and study space; and 4) ample financial resources to hire more faculty and provide other assistance to ensure a successful program.
Dr. Italo Subbarao highlighted four factors supporting the expansion: 1) WCU’s demonstrated commitment to producing primary care physicians for underserved populations; 2) its partnerships with state-level agencies working toward the same goal; 3) three buildings that will provide an additional 35,000 square feet of classroom, laboratory and study space; and 4) ample financial resources to hire more faculty and provide other assistance to ensure a successful program.