Staff memorial

Western University of Health Sciences is honoring staff members who died while employed at the University with a memorial plaque and tree planted in Ethan Allen, DO, Park.

The plaque, which reads “This tree stands in memory of those staff employees who have passed away while in service to Western University of Health Sciences,” was placed next to a newly planted camphor tree. The names of seven employees are listed on the plaque.

A number of years ago, a staff advisory committee recommended that something be done to memorialize employees who died while working here. Faculty members who died while at WesternU are honored with plaques and tree plantings throughout campus.

Chris VanderVeen from the College of Veterinary Medicine and Dennis Parker from Facilities informed WesternU Senior Vice President Thomas G. Fox, PhD, of the committee recommendation. Dr. Fox, who leads WesternU’s Office of Human Resources, wanted to follow through with the committee’s intent.

“I thought it made sense that we do something to commemorate staff as well as faculty,” he said. “We thank Dr. Pumerantz for his support in respecting the memory of our valued employees, and Dennis Parker and Chris VanderVeen for keeping the idea alive.”