Burrell College Recognizes Community Partners for Impact on Medical Education

Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine honored its community partners during the Community-Based Learning Partner Appreciation Ceremony.

College leaders and faculty highlighted the role of community partnerships in preparing student physicians to deliver patient-centered care.

“Today, we celebrate the organizations and individuals who play a vital role in shaping the education of our students and strengthening our community,” Burrell College Dean Pieratt said. “These partnerships make Community-Based Learning possible.”

Through Community-Based Learning, student physicians gain firsthand experience working with local organizations, exposing them to the real-world challenges patients face beyond the clinical setting.

“Community-based learning has opened my eyes to the struggles people face and provided insight into what many in our community experience on a daily basis, including how difficult it can be to access healthcare,” said student physician Samuel Glaser. “These experiences will make me a better doctor and give me a more well-rounded understanding of where patients are coming from.”

Dr. Mary Lacaze, associate dean of Community-Based Learning, said the program connects classroom learning with real-world experience and helps students better understand the broader factors that influence health.

“Through collaboration with our community partners, our students gain meaningful experiences that cultivate compassion, communication and a strong sense of advocacy,” Dr. Lacaze said.

She also pointed to student reflections as a key indicator of the program’s impact.

“These experiences reinforce the importance of addressing social determinants of health and building meaningful connections with patients and communities,” she said.

The ceremony included an awards presentation recognizing partner organizations for their ongoing collaboration and impact. Faculty and student physicians assisted in presenting awards to representatives from across the region.

Speakers closed the event by thanking community partners for their continued support in helping train future physicians and improving health outcomes across the region.