Healthy for the Holidays: Einstein Students Help Distribute Fresh Thanksgiving Produce
The spirit of community was palpable at Einstein the morning of November 24 as dozens of medical students, along with faculty and staff, gathered to fill bags with fresh, healthy produce for local families. Supplied by family-owned Westchester Produce, a total of 10,000 pounds of carrots, plantains, potatoes, zucchini, onions, and more were prepared for pickup by 18 partner organizations. The students also created a postcard linking to a website they created which detailed the nutrition facts of the produce provided, healthy Thanksgiving recipe ideas, and guidance on where to find reputable nutrition and health information.
Yaron Tomer, M.D., the Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean of Einstein and chief academic officer at Montefiore Einstein (second row center), with students, staff, and faculty members ready to distribute 1,000 bags of produce
This activity was one of eight taking place at various Montefiore Einstein sites as part of the Healthy Thanksgiving initiative, now in its sixth year. Across all of the sites, 80,000 pounds of produce were distributed throughout the Bronx, Westchester, and Rockland Counties. Food insecurity is a major concern for many families, particularly in the Bronx, and this initiative helps alleviate that stress for the holiday.
Sandra Pelka and Alexandra Tse, third-year M.D. students
The students who participated are part of Einstein’s Service-Learning Course, which is incorporated into all four years of the M.D. program to emphasize the importance of partnering with the community and understanding the social determinants of health—non-medical factors like food and housing security, and employment status. All 18 partner organizations were also service-learning sites, meaning they supervise teams of students during the pre-clerkship phase of the course. “I really appreciate that Einstein has built service-learning into the M.D. curriculum,” said Leora Barkai, third-year medical student. “It allows us to keep community engagement a priority, even with the demands of medical school, and will absolutely help us become better physicians.”
Since launching the service-learning program in 2022, Einstein students have completed more than 30,000 hours of service, primarily in the Bronx. They work with organizations serving people with substance use disorders, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, those with unstable housing, youth, and seniors. They participate in park cleanups, run nutrition workshops, assist amputees, and organize health fairs offering blood pressure and diabetes screenings.
Rami Abuqubo, third-year M.D. student
“I’m immensely proud of our service-learning students every day,” said Lauren Roth, M.D. ’16, director of the service-learning course. “At Einstein, students not only learn the science of medicine but also the value of empathy, equity, and partnership—principles that will guide them throughout their careers.”
Through service-learning and initiatives like Healthy Thanksgiving, Einstein students are proving that medicine also takes place outside the clinic. By standing shoulder to shoulder with the communities they serve, these future physicians are shaping a healthier tomorrow.
Posted on: Tuesday, December 02, 2025