Lebanon residents embrace 154 incoming WesternU medical students

The integration begins with a ritual: during the July 31 White Coat Ceremony, volunteers presented each osteopathic medicine student with a black medical bag—a symbol of their new profession funded entirely by local donors. The committee, which includes Heather McDaniel and Doris Modderman, coordinates these efforts to ensure students feel supported from their first day on campus. Modderman emphasized that while the town is small, its commitment to the students is absolute, offering a safety net for families watching their relatives relocate from across the country.

This culture of support extends to the College of Health Sciences-Northwest, where physical therapy students receive welcome kits featuring local vouchers and coupons. The initiative, championed by director Shauna Lieu, aims to bridge the gap between academia and local life. For students like Jordan Delacruz, who moved to Oregon from Eagle River, Alaska, the local reception has been transformative. During a recent downtown scavenger hunt, Delacruz noted that business owners actively sought out students to offer gifts and personal greetings, quickly easing the anxiety of moving to a new state.

Second-year student Olivia Rogers noted that the relationship is reciprocal. Beyond study groups and mentorship, students have integrated into the town through volunteer work and health initiatives. By fostering these ties, the community hopes to encourage graduates to return to rural Oregon to practice medicine, ensuring that the initial welcome evolves into a long-term professional bond.