by Emily Stembridge
Vanderbilt Department of Orthopaedics clinicians and staff gathered at Second Harvest Food Bank on Dec. 18 to help evaluate, sort and package dry and refrigerated food as part of the third annual Vanderbilt Orthopaedics Community Service Day.
In total, 31 volunteers, including physicians, nurses, operating room staff and other orthopaedics personnel joined the effort. The volunteers packaged a total of 10,173 pounds of frozen food and 588 boxes of shelf-stable food.
Founded in 2018, Community Service Day is one of several ways the department gives back to the Middle Tennessee community. In August, approximately 60 volunteers partnered with Vanderbilt University School of Medicine’s Shade Tree Clinic to provide free surgical treatment to 16 uninsured patients at the fifth annual Vanderbilt Orthopaedics Outreach Day.
“Vanderbilt Orthopaedics is delighted to partner with Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee for our third annual Community Service Day,” said Donald Lee, MD, professor of Orthopaedic Surgery.
“It is inspiring to see so many of our Vanderbilt Orthopaedics clinicians and staff dedicated to community involvement and service. Our volunteers’ enthusiasm is evidence of their strong commitment to our patients and our community. This event is a wonderful opportunity to directly give back to our local community by addressing hunger and food insecurities in the Middle Tennessee area. We are grateful to be able to partner with Second Harvest Food Bank, particularly during this time of additional critical needs with coronavirus and the recent tornadoes,” Lee said.
