WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Dec. 5, 2022 — West Liberty University’s Chapter of the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) enjoyed a rare opportunity recently as the academic club teamed up with Staff Sgt. Gregory Dember of the U.S. Army for a hands-on suturing clinic.
“As a member of the WLU pre-medicine chapter of AMSA, students gain opportunities through the AAMC as perks of membership as well as events sponsored on-campus, like the suturing clinic, by the WLU organization,” according to Dr. Melinda S. Kreisberg, biology professor and club mentor.
“Any student interested in a medical field should consider joining WLU AMSA. Leadership and volunteer opportunities are also available to strengthen eventual applications to professional school, so it’s a smart activity for students,” she added.
Dember presented basic suturing skills and potential scholarship opportunities to 21 undergraduate and graduate students on Nov. 8. The students received free suturing kits supplied by the Army and had an opportunity to practice their suturing skills.
Dember, who serves as the Station Commander for the 1st Medical Recruiting Battalion (Pittsburgh Recruiting Station) also demonstrated more advanced knots for students who wanted to learn more about the skill
“His suture clinic was an excellent way to increase involvement on campus across a variety of majors specifically for AMSA. I am hopeful and excited to bring more opportunities like this to West Liberty next semester and in the future,” said Kirsten Bogunovich, student president of the WLU club who is a senior.
“This was a really great opportunity to practice new skills and encourage more interest in the club,” said current College of Sciences undergraduate and future WLU Physician Assistant student Maria Mosman.
WLU’s AMSA Chapter plans to host a “Stop the Bleed” event as well as others in the upcoming semester.
The American Medical Student Association, founded in 1950 and based in Washington, D.C., is an independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. AMSA is a student-governed, national organization and WLU’s Chapter has been in existence since about 2014.
For more information, please contact Bogunovich at (kmbogunovich@westliberty.edu). For more information on the College of Sciences, please visit westliberty.edu/college-of-sciences.