USU Medical Student Receives 2017 Maryland Governor’s Service Award

By Sharon Holland

Navy Ensign Meghan Quinn, a student in the USU F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine class of 2018, was a recipient of the 2017 Maryland Governor’s Service Award. Seventeen awards in a variety of categories were presented to Maryland citizens and groups recognized for outstanding commitment to service and volunteerism. Quinn was one of two state residents who received the award in the Veteran category.

Quinn was selected for the award based on her volunteer work with the Glen Echo Fire Department in Bethesda. She joined the department when she turned 16 – the minimum age of membership. She has remained an active part of the Glen Echo Fire Department throughout high school at nearby Stone Ridge of the Sacred Heart School, as an undergraduate majoring in biology at the University of Maryland, and currently as a student at USU.

The director of the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives, Steve McAdams (far left), Robert L. Finn, Deputy Secretary for the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs (left, center) and Van Brooks, the director for the Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism (far right) presented Navy Ensign Meghan Quinn, a student in USU’s F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine class of 2018, with the Governor’s Service Award on behalf of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan.  (Image credit: Joe Andrucyk)

According to the award citation, Quinn devoted more than 640 volunteer hours in 2016 to GEFD and responded to more than 50 emergencies, all while spending more than 44 weeks on required medical school clinical rotations last year. Her dedication to the department put her among its most active volunteers.

“I wear several admin hats at Glen Echo in addition to staffing (and have done so for many years). I was just made a life member of the department, so they're stuck with me for the long haul,” she said.

Navy Ensign Meghan Quinn has been a volunteer with the Glen
Echo Fire Department since she was 16 years old. (Courtesy photo)

In addition to her work with the Glen Echo Fire Department, Quinn has also assisted with staffing at the Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad since 2014, as her schedule permits. She serves as a lead instructor for the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association's volunteer basic orientation course, and has taught in that program since 2013.

“It was truly an honor to receive this recognition from the state and it meant even more when I learned that my peers at the firehouse were the ones who nominated me,” said Quinn. “No one volunteers in the fire service looking for recognition or awards so it is always a surprise and honor when that service is recognized in such a big way.”

“Our entire administration has been working tirelessly to improve the quality of life of citizens from one end of our state to the other. We can't do it alone,” said Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, in remarks at the awards presentation in Annapolis. “Our state is stronger when its citizens reach out and help one another. I believe that Maryland has some of the kindest and most compassionate citizens in the country and we're proving that again here today. I want to congratulate all of our honorees and thank you for the work that you do every single day to help us Change Maryland for the Better.