The Best Buddies chapter at UMass Medical School—launched last year to promote friendships among UMMS students and community members with intellectual and developmental disabilities—is hosting its first Best Buddies Friendship Walk on Sunday, May 17, on the university campus. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
The walk raises money for Best Buddies chapters across Central Massachusetts. Ten percent of funds raised for the Best Buddies UMass Medical School team will be donated directly to the UMMS chapter.
Medical students Justin Pespisa, who has been involved with Best Buddies since he was in high school, and Victoria Winslow started the program at UMMS to facilitate relationships between medical and nursing students and adults with intellectual disabilities. They also wanted to reinforce the importance of compassion in health care.
Less than two years later, participation in the chapter has skyrocketed, with 48 pairs of students and community members.
Visit www.bestbuddiesma.org/worcesterwalk to learn more.
Related links on UMassMedNow:
UMass Medical School students enjoy their new Best Buddies
UMMS Best Buddies chapter urges public to end the R-word
