Adventist University of Health Sciences Student Receives Newman Civic Fellows Award

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Adventist University of Health Sciences

Jun 30, 2016, 08:42 ET

ORLANDO, Fla., June 30, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Adventist University of Health Sciences (ADU) nursing student, Robert Down, has received the Newman Civic Fellows Award. This is the second year an ADU nominated student has earned this award from Campus Compact. These fellows are selected because of their commitment to better their local community while creating positive social change.

ADU Nursing student, Robert Down, proudly accepts the Newman Civic Fellows Award from Dr. David Greenlaw, President of ADU.

"Since coming to ADU, I have become passionate about our local community," said Down. "While I know it is unrealistic to think I can end poverty, homelessness, or human trafficking by myself, I am committed to helping those most at-risk with the work I do every day."

For nearly two years, Down has participated in efforts designed to serve and encourage vulnerable populations, including serving the local community as a health worker at health fairs, participating in international medical mission trips, and advocating at the Florida Nursing Association for health care for at-risk populations.

Most recently, he has been working with the American Red Cross as a Disaster Team Lead where he responded to the terrorist attack in Orlando by working at the Emergency Operations Center as well as the Family Assistance Center.

With a background in information technology, Down helped create an open source electronic medical records (EMR) system that provides quality EMR to community providers around the globe who cannot afford corporate systems.

"Robert is a committed leader. He responds to needs he sees in others and collaborates on ways to improve quality of life," explained David Greenlaw, D.Min, President of ADU. "His dedication to action and advocacy to serve makes him an exemplary young man, and we are proud to have him here, living out our mission, at ADU."

Campus Compact is a national coalition of nearly 1,100 college and university presidents who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education.

Through service-learning courses and other opportunities for community engagement, ADU is developing students' public problem-solving skills, such as the ability to analyze community needs, the willingness to participate in public processes and debate, the commitment to raise awareness about challenges, and the ability to inspire others to become part of solutions.

About ADU – Adventist University of Health Sciences (ADU) is a Seventh-day Adventist institution that specializes in healthcare education. ADU offers associate, bachelor, and doctoral degrees.

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SOURCE Adventist University of Health Sciences