D.O. student of the year honored for life of service
Posted: August 25, 2010
ATSU-KCOM has named second year student doctor John Thurman Jr. as its Student D.O. of the Year, and for only the third time in six years, KCOM Dean Phil Slocum, D.O., ’76, presented a Dean’s Letter of Commendation, which recognizes Thurman’s service.
The dean specifically cited Thurman’s “leadership, courage, strength of character, perseverance, honesty, integrity, and compassion. In the 118-year history of KCOM, few people have been better ambassadors,” he said.
Thurman grew up in Midland, Texas, and attended the United States Military Academy at West Point from 1996-2000. He served seven years in the U.S. Army, including tours in Kuwait and Baghdad, Iraq, for Operation Iraqi Freedom.
As president of the Class of 2012, Thurman initiated a ceremony recognizing Fellows who contribute to a medical student’s education; organized a 9.11 memorial service; lent tremendous support to fellow classmates and residents of Kirksville who suffered loss in a tornado; led a fundraiser for Haiti in the wake of that country’s January earthquake; and initiated a community-wide service project, partnering with the city to clean up downtown.
Humble, caring, and supportive of classmates, the college, and the community, Thurman believes in living a life of service to others. “Life isn’t all about you,” he said. “It’s about your contributions and helping others.”
Thurman will spend the next two years completing clinical rotations at Via Christi Health System in Wichita, Kan.