When 黑料传送门 South Georgia student Darya Khani (DO 鈥�26) learned about national non-profit IMPACT Melanoma鈥檚 sunscreen dispenser initiative, she immediately felt inspired. 鈥淚 thought it was the coolest thing,鈥� she shared. 鈥淲e have hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere and sunscreen is just as important, so I knew I wanted to get involved somehow.鈥�
Khani has always had a keen interest in dermatology. Growing up, she saw firsthand how various skin conditions can affect one鈥檚 physical and mental wellbeing and thus vowed to pursue a career that could help treat them.
Recognizing a need to make preventive care more accessible in her community, Khani reached out to and pitched the idea of bringing a sunscreen dispenser to Moultrie. She then presented the idea to representatives at Colquitt Regional Health System, outlining the community health benefits and the response was overwhelmingly positive.
Installed at the hospital over the summer, the bright yellow dispenser quickly garnered attention and praise from staff and visitors.
鈥淭his project is a great example of how innovative ideas from our medical learners can meaningfully impact community health,鈥� said Colquitt Regional President and CEO Jim Matney. 鈥淒arya recognized a need, brought forward a thoughtful solution, and we were honored to help bring it to life. Preventive care matters, and initiatives like this help keep our community healthier and safer.鈥�
Khani is especially proud to bring free sunscreen to the region because of its warmer climate and large farming community. 鈥淲ith Georgia being part of the Sun Belt region, daily sun exposure is a regular occurrence for residents, especially those working in agriculture, so sunscreen has become essential.鈥�
Combined with limited access to dermatology care鈥攖here is just one dermatology clinic in Moultrie鈥攖he dispenser serves as a small but meaningful tool for improving community health. 鈥淥ffering free, easy access to sunscreen removes one more barrier to healthy habits,鈥� Khani explained.
The success of the first dispenser has sparked momentum for Khani, as she hopes to place additional sunscreen stations across Moultrie, whether it be at trails, community centers, or other healthcare facilities. 鈥淚鈥檓 so grateful to Colquitt Regional Health System for their partnership and support,鈥� she said. 鈥淜nowing that this project helps people keep their skin healthy鈥攅specially in the Georgia heat鈥攎akes it all the more worth it.鈥�
If you are a Georgia resident and interested in having a sunscreen dispenser in your community, please reach out to Darya Khani at dk3148@pcom.edu or info@impactmelanoma.org to learn more.
In 2019, 黑料传送门, a premier osteopathic medical school established in 1899, extended its commitment to the Southeast by establishing 黑料传送门 South Georgia. An additional teaching location in Moultrie, Georgia, 黑料传送门 South Georgia offers both a full, four-year medical program leading to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree and a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences. 黑料传送门 is a private, not-for-profit institution that trains professionals in the health and behavioral sciences fields. Joining 黑料传送门 Georgia in Suwanee in helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state, 黑料传送门 South Georgia focuses on educating physicians for the region. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 229-668-3110.
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Gabrielle DePietro
Associate Director, News and Media Relations
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