Taniform Abongwa, a WSU School of Medicine Year I student, drowned Sunday, March 6, while on a recreational outing with his fellow students during a medical relief trip in Ecuador. All other students traveling with Mr. Abongwa are safe, and families have been notified.

"I am terribly saddened to report a tragedy involving one of our medical students," wrote Maryjean Schenk, M.D., M.P.H., interim associate dean for academic and student programs, in a message yesterday to the School of Medicine community. "He was a very friendly, caring and compassionate person."

Mr. Abongwa was one of 12 Year I medical students who traveled to Ecuador on March 3 to spend a week volunteering at a local hospital as part of the World Health Student Organization's spring break relief program. Mr. Abongwa was with his fellow students at a local beach near the village of Muisne when the accident occurred.

A native of Cameroon, Africa, Mr. Abongwa resided in Ann Arbor, where he had extended family. Mr. Abongwa was highly regarded by his fellow classmates and faculty. He was an exemplary student and was involved in several voluntary, community-based student organizations.

He graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in molecular biology in 2003.

Arrangements are pending and will be detailed in future issues of Prognosis.