Warm Hearth Village (WHV) is proud to celebrate its ongoing partnership with the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM), which provides meaningful opportunities for medical students to learn, serve and connect with older adults in the New River Valley.
The partnership was recently highlighted during the inaugural VCOM-VDH Symposium, where VCOM brought together community partner organizations from across Southwest Virginia to celebrate collaboration and recognize the important relationships that support community-engaged education and service.
As part of VCOM’s Community Partner Awards, Sara McCarter, Warm Hearth Village’s leader of volunteer and academic partnerships, was named CORE Mentor of the Year in recognition of her work supporting VCOM medical students and strengthening the connection between the college and the Warm Hearth community.
Through Warm Hearth Village’s academic partnerships, medical students have opportunities to gain firsthand experience working with older adults while learning about senior living, community-based care and the importance of connection across generations. These experiences also bring new perspectives, energy and opportunities for engagement to the Village.
“Our partnership with VCOM is a wonderful example of what can happen when educational institutions and community organizations come together with a shared commitment to learning and service,” said William Lester, President & CEO of Warm Hearth Village. “We value the opportunities this partnership creates for medical students and our residents, and we’re grateful for the continued collaboration with VCOM and the many people who help make these experiences possible.”
McCarter said she is honored by the recognition and sees it as a reflection of the relationships and opportunities created through the partnership. “Our partnerships with VCOM and other academic institutions give medical students the opportunity to learn in meaningful, real-world environments while bringing new energy and perspectives to our community,” said McCarter. “I’m grateful to be part of that work and to help create experiences that are valuable for both our medical students and our residents.”
WHV looks forward to continuing to strengthen its relationship with VCOM and other academic partners throughout the New River Valley, creating opportunities for medical students to learn through community engagement while fostering meaningful connections with residents.
Warm Hearth Village is a nonprofit senior living community in Blacksburg, Virginia, offering a continuum of living options and services for older adults, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation. For more than 50 years, Warm Hearth Village has been committed to creating a community where people can live, connect, and thrive.
The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) is a private, nonprofit medical school with a mission to prepare globally minded, community-focused physicians through education, research and service. VCOM’s Blacksburg campus serves Southwest Virginia and works with community partners to provide medical students with meaningful opportunities for learning and service.
