When Baylor College of Medicine opened its new regional medical school campus in Temple, leaders emphasized the motto, ‘One School – Two Campuses.” That was exemplified this year at Matthew Carter Service Day, allowing both campuses to continue a long-held Baylor tradition.

Matthew Carter was a Baylor medical student in Houston who was killed in September 2000. For more than 20 years, students have honored his dedication to volunteerism and service through Matthew Carter Service Day, which combines a lecture from a healthcare leader on the meaning of service and a day of volunteering in the community.

The event was held in Houston in September, and on Oct. 7 in Temple, in conjunction with the United Way Day of Caring. For the inaugural class of students in Temple, it was an opportunity to meet the needs in their own community while taking part in a 20-year Baylor event.

Cami Poole is one of the first-year students at Temple. Originally from Round Rock with an undergraduate degree from Emory University in Atlanta, Poole was attracted to Baylor – Temple not just because it is close to her hometown, but because of its focus on service learning. The Association of American Medical Colleges describes service learning as integrating community service with traditional curricula, enabling students to apply classroom lessons to the real-world needs of local communities.

“I was really interested that service learning is part of the culture at Baylor,” she said. “I heard about Matthew Carter Service Day at orientation and from Dr. (Christian) Cable (associate dean of admissions and students at Temple) who described how important it is to Baylor. It sounded like a great way to contribute and make it part of Temple tradition.”

In Temple, students volunteered at Ronald McDonald House of Temple, the Salvation Army McLane Center of Hope, Churches Touching Lives in Christ, City of Temple Animal Shelter and Ralph Wilson Youth Club. They also heard from Dr. Gregory Carter, Matthew Carter’s father.

“It was impactful to have Dr. Carter there,” Poole said. “It grounded us and reminded us of the importance of the day, not just honoring Matthew’s life but what was important to him.”

Poole spent the day at the Ronald McDonald House, where she helped prepare meals for the families who stayed there. She learned about how the facility operates and serves families of those on extended hospital stays, and found the experience to be rewarding. But one of the best parts of the event, she said, was having different organizations to choose where she could volunteer.

“Some people are more interested in giving out food while others are more interested in physical labor. There was really something for everyone,” she said.

Temple students were joined by Baylor and Baylor Scott & White faculty and staff, as well as several second-year medical students from Houston. Houston students offered valuable information about organizing the event so that students in Temple can take the lead on planning in the future.

“Hopefully, we can continue to work with existing sites and expand to others, and open up beyond students, faculty and staff and encourage people to bring friends and family,” Poole said. “Temple is a great location for service, because it’s a smaller community and we can really impact more of the population.”

Alicia Dunn, chief of staff to Regional Dean Dr. Alex Arroliga, was one of the main organizers of the first Matthew Carter Service Day in Temple. She looks forward to the event continuing in the community. “It was a great day for our campus and community,” she said. “And we loved having the Houston students here.”

By Dana Benson