Over the past seven years , Bob Horner has played a key role in supporting the FSU College of Medicine ’ s Orlando Regional Campus . A volunteer in the HOST – Help Our Students Travel – program , Horner has welcomed two dozen FSU medical students into his Orlando-area home for one-month stints as they rotated through specialized training .
“ I barely knew what a residency was , much less a rotation , when I started , but the students are just a delight to be around ,” said Horner , who retired after 30 years with IBM . “ I ’ m at a point in my life where I just want to help , so these students can focus on their clerkship rotations and their parents don ’ t have to worry about where they ’ re staying .”
He began to share in his former guests ’ milestones , regularly attending Match Day and graduation ceremonies .
Orlando Regional Campus Dean Mark Chaet , M . D ., said Horner was one of the first people he met after becoming dean almost three years ago .
“ He was described to me as being a friend to the FSU College of Medicine who has been at every Orlando campus event and supported us any way he could . He even provides housing to visiting FSU medical students ,” Chaet said . “ Well , that was just the beginning of the story . Bob is a friend , an advisor and a positive force to all he meets . We are fortunate to have him as a fan of the College of Medicine and I am grateful to know him as a friend .”
As with most successful relationships , Horner feels equally fortunate . He created his own version of a “ Wall of Fame ” at his home , with a photo of every medical student he has hosted since 2017 . The only time he ever declined to host a student was when he was going to be out of town when the student needed to arrive .
Although HOST was created initially to provide lodging for students during interviews for residency programs , the COVID-19 pandemic meant those interviews became virtual , and they have primarily remained that way . Because third- and fourth-year medical students can choose specialized clerkship rotations at regional campuses besides their home one , HOST has allowed many students to explore specialties they might not otherwise have been able to .
Horner often has two students at a time . He shows them where the bedrooms and bathrooms are , where the kitchen is so they can prepare their own meals , and they come and go on their own schedules .
“ It ’ s effortless for me , and there ’ s no obligation for them to be home for dinner ,” he said . “ They ’ re on the other side of the house , but we do enjoy visiting . My 10-yearold granddaughter always goes and introduces herself to the new arrivals .”
Earlier this year , fourth-year medical student Shwetha Shetty faced paying rent to keep her Daytona Beach apartment – plus rent on an Air B & B in Orlando for the month of her Orlando rotation . That ’ s when Student Services Coordinator Peggy Bernardo told her about Horner , whom Shetty missed meeting when he visited the Daytona Beach Regional Campus because she was at a dental appointment .
“ That $ 1,500 would have been pretty steep , and I was concerned , but Peggy told me to call Mr . Bob . He was so easy to work with ,” she said . “ He said , ‘ Don ’ t worry .’ He even let me bring my little cat , Luna , that I had adopted from the Tallahassee Humane Society .”
Both Shetty and Luna were welcomed into the Horner family ; Luna had the run of the house and often watched television with Horner and his longtime companion , Denise Sullivan , Shetty said .
While Horner has fond memories of all the medical students he has hosted , he and Shetty formed a particularly strong bond . “ We could talk forever ,” he said .
“ Yes , we could ,” Shetty agreed , laughing . Seeing his “ Wall of Fame ,” with its photos of many of her friends and mentors , made Horner ’ s welcome even warmer for her .
“ He really believes in our mission , but he also lives the mission with College of Medicine students out in the community .” Shetty said . “ He ’ s always volunteering his time at church , attending conferences nationally to learn and give back to vulnerable populations around us , and he ’ s heading non-profit organizations combatting violence in foreign countries , as well .
“ I don ’ t want any student to come into an empty house ,” he said .
“ He ’ s so unassuming and humble that you wouldn ’ t know about all the work he does unless you see him in action or ask .”
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