Comedian-turned-doctor to speak at Academy of Medicine annual awards dinner

Roger Pacholka earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1980 and a Doctor of Medicine in 1985 from Wright State.

A comedian-turned-doctor will share stories of his work in Africa and his journey since graduating from medical school at the annual distinguished guest lecture and awards dinner of the Wright State University Academy of Medicine on Wednesday, April 26, at the Sinclair Conference Center, 444 W. Third Street, Bldg. 12, in Dayton.

Roger Pacholka, M.D., is a graduate of Wright State University. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1980 and a Doctor of Medicine in 1985. He graduated from Wright State’s Emergency Medicine Residency Program in 1988.

Pacholka now leads medical students, residents, attending physicians and other health care professionals serving the poor in Southern Africa. As a medical student, he developed a two-month global health rotation in Swaziland, Africa, becoming the first of hundreds of Wright State students to work in the area. He serves as the medical director and U.S. board chairperson for Mercy Air South Africa, a nonprofit missionary aviation organization that provides humanitarian, medical, educational and agricultural programs throughout Southern Africa.

The annual event honors outstanding medical students, residents and faculty from the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine while recognizing the dedicated work of members of the Wright State University Academy of Medicine. Each year, the event features inspirational speakers from the fields of medicine, arts or entertainment.

The Wright State University Academy of Medicine is a community-based service organization dedicated to supporting excellence in medicine through education, research and service. Since its founding in 1977, the Academy of Medicine has made a difference in the lives of students at the Boonshoft School of Medicine. Thanks in part to the academy’s dedicated annual and life members, the school remains a catalyst for better health care by preparing outstanding physicians. The organization supports medical education by providing student loans and awarding student and faculty achievement. Through membership, the Academy has circulated $2 million in student loans, saving more than 400 students the high costs of commercial loans.

The general admission cost to attend the event is $75; $50 for those 18 and under; and $25 for Boonshoft School of Medicine students and residents. To register for the event, go to http://medicine.wright.edu/academy-lecture.

For more information, contact Nicki Crellin at nicki.crellin@wright.edu or 937-245-7634.