Press Release - March 14, 2003
[SIZE=+1]World Record Holder and KCOM Student called up to Duty[/SIZE]
Kirksville, MO. - (Mar. 14, 2003) –XXXXX, a first year medical student at the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM), a division of A.T. Still University of Health Sciences (ATSU) has been deployed for active military duty. XXXX is in the Army Reserves.
XXXX was notified on February 21 that he had been activated and officially reported to duty on February 26, 2003. XXX is from XXXX.
"Our hospital unit is considered critical for the war effort and we're needed immediately," said XXXX. "It has gotten a little scary. I am going to trust in myself, the soldiers around me, and God to get me through it. With that said, I will serve proudly and with honor."
XXXX is a Sergeant in the 452nd division and is currently in XXXX. for additional training while the soldiers await mobilization overseas near the end of the month. XXXX plans to return to medical school as soon as his military service is complete.
A recent survey revealed that KCOM is second only to the Texas A&M University School of Medicine in the total number of graduates who are currently practicing in the armed forces.
Incidentally, XXXX holds a spot in the Guinness book of world records for 53 hours and 22 minutes of continuous movie watching. ACT II, the world's largest manufacturer of microwave popcorn, sponsored a 27 non-stop movie marathon weekend in May 2002 in Minneapolis as a fund-raiser for a local Boys and Girls Club.
Running continuously from Friday morning through the following Sunday evening, forsaking sleep, showers and unscheduled bathroom breaks, only 34 movie lovers braved the challenge; only 12 saw it through. XXXX said he drew upon his military training for battle fatigue, contracting facial muscles to keep his blood pumping. Food stashes were strategic too, XXXX said. XXXX was one of the 12 that saw their way into the world record books and landed their faces on boxes of ACT II microwave popcorn on grocery store shelves nationwide.
The A.T. Still University of Health Sciences includes the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, the School of Health Management, the Arizona School of Health Sciences and the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health.