Meet Our National Board:
This quarter, the USVH Board has made a tremendous effort towards National expansion, promotion of
Veterans issues, and generating an influx of newcomer volunteers this quarter. Below are the profiles of the
current National USVH Board:
Leslie Johnson, National President
About:
I am a current senior majoring in Human Biology with a
concentration in Psychosocial Development. At Stanford I am a
tutor, a member of the Memorial Church choir, and a volunteer
for Pacific Free Clinic. My job in USVH consists of recruiting
new chapters of United Students for Veterans’ Health across the
nation and facilitating their development. I am passionate about
the growth of USVH because I have had a wonderful time
getting to know the veterans at the VA. I have learned so much
from the relationships that I have formed in my time
volunteering. The veterans have taught me to live more fully and
laugh more often. I love to play sand volleyball, eat chocolate,
and go hiking in my free time!
-Xie.jpg)
Mingqian (Shelly) Xie, National Vice President
About:
Hello! My name is Mingqian(Shelly) Xie, and I am a jsenior. I am
the National Vice President for USVH. I started volunteering for
USVH since the autumn quarter of my freshmen year. I love
volunteering with USVH because I think since recently so many
programs and services target children or the younger generation,
USVH really makes a difference for the elderly and especially
veterans, who need not only medical support but also emotional
support. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the
veterans smile and open up after talking and visiting them.
Sam Birer, Stanford Chapter President
About:
My name is Sam Birer, and I am the USVH Stanford
Chapter President. If you are involved with USVH at
Stanford, then I will be the guy sending you e-mail and
doing my best to get you scheduled nicely. I am currently a
junior studying chemistry, and I hope to someday earn my
MD. I'm also a local boy, and I have a lot of family in the
Bay Area. My grandpa is actually a frequent patient at the
Menlo Park VA! The best part of USVH for me is the
pride in giving back to a community that has done so much
for us.
Brittany Beavers, Special Events Coordinator !
About:
I volunteer at USVH because I love to chat and am
interested in psychiatry in the future. I believe it's
important to volunteer to help our society. I just hope to
make someone's day a little bit brighter! My potential
major is in Human Biology. I attend RUF, participate in
a small group on campus, and am a member of the Pi
Beta Phi fraternity for women. I also love to read and love
watching movies when I have free time!
Liz Melton, Director of Issues and Advocacy !
About:
At times, the mental and physical health of the elderly veteran population
tends to be neglected. By volunteering at USVH, I feel that I am making an
extremely small donation of compassion for those who have given up so
much for all of us--an act which is a necessary "thank you" to our brave and
honorable former soldiers. I am a Human Biology major currently in my
Junior year, with a concentration in The Epidemiology of Infectious Disease.
Although I am chiefly focused on my pre-medical career, I also hold
leadership posts as: Co-Director of Henry’s Place (scientific learning
amongst low-income elementary school students), VP of Administration of
the Pi Beta Phi Sorority, Head Intern for non-profit Upendo Village, and
was formerly a member of Stanford University’s Sailing Team, as well as a
National and International Figure Skating competitor for 12 years.
Jeremy Klepner, Financial Officer
About:
I am currently a junior pre-med psychology major. Primarily I work in USVH in
order to develop meaningful relationships with senior veterans but I also work to
attain funding for current USVH chapters and in order to facilitate the funding of
future chapters. Volunteering at USVH will not only improve the lives of veterans
but will offer insight into the daily lives of people who live with psychiatric
conditions, as I am interested in geriatrics lifespan development in the future. I
am a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and a member of the Men’s Varsity
Fencing team. I have been a sabre fencer for 8 years during which I have
competed in multiple Junior Olympic competitions, and medaled at North
American Cups. I really enjoy playing baseball and ATV riding in my free time.
Quarter Events, Volunteering, and National Recruitment:
Veterans Day Barbeque: II/II/II
“Professor of political science Larry
Diamond ’73 M.A. ’78 Ph.D. ’80 spoke and
said that separation between America’s
civilian and military life can be “dangerous for
a democracy.”
He said the day not only honors the sacrifice
of service members but is also a reminder of
the need to heal the wedge between these two
spheres.
Around 56 people attended the
barbeque, according to Tim Hsia, a law
student and former U.S. Army Infantry
Captain. He called this a “good number” and
commented that the veterans’ clubs at
Stanford’s law and business schools were
holding similar events at the same time and
that he hoped to consolidate their efforts next
year.
Colonel Joseph Felter, a senior research fellow
at the Center for International Security and
Cooperation (CISAC), spoke at the barbeque.
“This is just a time of tremendous sacrifice,”
Felter said. “I think no one here is oblivious to that, but I think our country unfortunately might be in
‘Planet Palo Alto’ sometimes, a little insulated from that incredible sacrifice that’s going on. There’s
war going on, and people are in harm’s way.”
VA Hospital Events
This quarter was outstanding in the number of events put on by the Special Events Coordinator,
Brittany Beavers, consisting of:
- Veterans Day Barbeque: II/II/II
- Car and Bike Show – II/6/II
o Car and bike staging – touring of the vehicles with Veterans
o Color Guard performances
o BBQ lunch
o Raffle
o Grand Parade Exit
- Christmas Caroling – 12/3/11
- Card-making parties
Volunteering
USVH kicked off the new academic year on a high note, bringing back countless experienced volunteers and
added an amazing near fifty new members to our volunteering staff! As always, new volunteers range in age
from Freshmen to Coterms, and, on the whole, we have received very positive feedback from both our
newcomers and longtime USVH members about their experiences at the Menlo Park VA. We are looking to
build on the success of Fall Quarter, and beyond, by scheduling volunteer shifts over Winter Break so as to
simplify and expedite the volunteer process. !
National Recruitment
Lately, we have remained in close contact with our old, existing chapters, while simultaneously seeking out new,
enthused students from college campuses around the country to start new chapters of USVH. Specifically, we
have been focused on Smith College. We have potential leaders at this school, and have garnered funds to offer
Seed Grants for other chapters in the near future. Additionally, we are in touch with a wide range of other
Texas, East Coast, and greater California Bay Area schools—all of which have students ready to commence
USVH at their university! Continuing our USVH advertising, we’ve created a Facebook page, blog, updated
and improved website (usvh.org), and OrgSync profile (Stanford University’s Student Organization social
networking site).
Excerpts From Chapter Presidents:
Worchester USVH:
“We at WUSVH have made significant progress over the past few months. We established a board of directors for our
chapter right from the beginning, and we are currently looking for more volunteers to recruit. Our main site of
volunteering has been at Veteran's Inc. in Worcester, MA. Through Veteran's Inc, we have helped our veterans in several
ways, primarily through lunch serving and site maintenance. After the effects of Hurricane Irene, WUSVH members
helped one of Veteran's Inc's outreach centers by clearing fallen branches on the property and clearing the parking lot of
weeds. Lunch serving has been a big part of our volunteering; WUSVH members have served lunch to the veterans at
Veteran's Inc. several times over the past few months.” ~Evan Maranto
University of Texas at Austin USVH:
“The University of Texas at Austin chapter of United Students for Veterans’ Health has, in one short semester, established
itself as a prominent veterans’ organization on campus. With a six student executive board, eighteen general members (a
pool that continues to grow!), and a strong partnership with the Student Veterans Association, we have undertaken a
rewarding challenge; USVH is coordinating with the Dean of Students to help bring into existence the first UT Student
Veterans Center, scheduled to open on Veterans’ Day 2011. USVH was involved in the official hiring process for the
SVC’s managing board and labored with advocacy groups to raise over $2,000 for the new center. USVH has touched me
personally by serving as a bridge to a wonderful group of veterans, both on and off of the UT campus, whom I otherwise
may not have had the pleasure of meeting. As an ex-Yugoslavian war refugee who immigrated to the United States with
the help of American and NATO troops in the mid 90’s, I have a great deal of respect for the veterans who sacrifice so
much in the call of duty. Although my involvement with USVH has only begun to flourish, I am confident that the years
to come will be filled with meaningful work and service for our veterans.” ~Damir Ljuboja
Topics of Interest – From the Director of Issues and Advocacy
|
