Philadelphia Victor Center Screens at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD

Monday, April 20th at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD

 

Thanks to the  University of Maryland Hillel Jewish Renaissance Project's hard work and in spite of heavy rain on Monday, April 20th, they showed up in droves! On Monday April 20th 2009, at the Stamp Student Center on the College Park campus of the University of Maryland, 142 students were screened by the Victor Center for Jewish Genetic Diseases. The team from the Philadelphia Victor Center were assisted by volunteer genetic counselors from Washington, DC. Also helping out, Dr. Evelyn Karson, an OB Geneticist in the DC area and 3 very able and very funny phlebotomists who did an excellent job of drawing blood and amusing the nervous students. The University of Maryland students were great volunteers and at all times had 4 students in the room to help direct the flow and keep students informed of where they needed to go and what they needed to do.

The room was smaller than our usual location but it made for a festive feel as everyone was in the same room and all activities were in close quarters. The counseling was done in small groups to accommodate the waves of students who came in every half an hour at their appointment times. Sign up was online ahead of time and worked very well. Most of those who signed up attended the screening. There was very little waiting as both Adele Schneider and Evelyn Karson functioned at times as genetic counselors and when there was a back up at the blood drawing station, they become phlebotomists. This kept things flowing well. The students expressed how grateful they were for this opportunity by writing lovely notes and also making donations. A small amount of cash was collected and donated to the Victor Center from the students. The Hillel staff complimented the Victor Center team on a well run program and added “Your program is very impressive and we are so glad you chose the University of Maryland students to give your gifts to!”