SNMA members take break from exams to serve others

From left: Sehr Haroon, SNMA vice president, Chantal Afuh, SNMA community service coordinator, Travis Hanson, SNMA president, Horace Fulton, environmental services operations manager, Olamide Alabi, SNMA treasurer, and Christine Ngaruiya, secretary-historian.

From left: Environmental Service employees Nyayual Nyang and Raymond Spence take a break to enjoy breakfast with SNMA members.

In the midst of semester end exams and holiday plans, a group of Student National Medial Association (SNMA) members recently took time to say, “thank you” to a special campus group — the environmental service staff.

The students’ annual “holiday tea and breakfast” is their way of treating staff members and showing gratitude for their hard work.

“During the holiday season, we often recognize people outside of campus. But we want to acknowledge the people who create an optimal environment for students to learn,” said Kristie Hayes, M.D., UNMC chief of dermatology and SNMA faculty adviser.

Students came up with the idea three years ago. Each year, they contribute money and collect donations to provide the breakfast.

Environmental staff members said they are grateful the students think of them.

“I think it’s awesome they would consider us because we work behind the scenes,” said Horace Fulton, UNMC environmental service operation manager. “It’s nice to know they notice the work that we do. We’re here early in the morning preparing classrooms for our students.”

SNMA members are also planning an upcoming community service project.