This spring students in the Ross Medical Education Center Huntsville, Alabama Dental Assistant program, Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration program, and Pharmacy Technician program visited the Floyd E. “Tut” Fann State Veterans Home. During this visit, the students and instructors sat down with some of the veterans and listened to stories from their past experiences. It was very rewarding for the students and instructors to be able to sit down and thank these men for their service and sacrifices for our country. “Our students, from all programs, were encouraged to participate in teamwork and stepping out of their comfort zone to speak with the residents about their dental and physical health,” shared Campus Director Elizabeth Bowden. “Humbly, we acknowledge their ultimate gift towards our freedom.”
Many of the students were very thankful and moved by the opportunity to visit the veteran home. One of the Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration students, Tiffany Henderson, shared her experience, “I would like to take this time to thank Floyd E Tut Fann Home for having me and the Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration class visit last week. This opportunity has give me some insight on where this career can take me. I took the opportunity to speak with a veteran of our United States Army and had a wonderful time comparing stories. It was a joy to take a break from studies and kick back with someone who has been on this earth before me and enjoy every word he had to give. Although we spoke in a certain timeframe, I felt a sort of connection and would like to revisit when I can. I hope all is well with him and that he gets better soon so he can go to his home in Arizona. I know he will really enjoy that. My mother is a Veteran of our United States Air Force and is mentally ill and this experience really hit home.”
Another student, Lontisha Brown, from the Dental Assistant class, also wanted to share about how thankful she was for the experience. “My visit at the veterans home was absolutely amazing. It really touched me because my deceased grandfather played a big part in the military and in the civil war. The opportunity to come visit and talk with the veterans was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.”
The studnets and instructors expressed their desire to return to the home when they could to check on their new friends and continue to share stories with them and show their appreciation.