I just concluded my second semester of my third year! I had a hectic semester, managing rigorous coursework (earning a 4.0 GPA), operating Bears Bikes, volunteering at Siteman Cancer Center, and furthering my research at the Warner Adaptation Laboratory at Washington University Medical School. Our abstracts for several publications are not with the NIH, and we hope to have them published soon!
Upon the end of the academic semester, I immediately began working as an ophthalmic assistant at Mattax, Neu, Prater Surgery Center in Springfield, MO, again as I had the summer prior. I am very grateful they had me back for another year. As before, I would like to thank Dr. Jacob Thomas, Dr. James Mattax, Dr. Leo Neu, and Dr. Thomas Prater (a WashU Medical School graduate) for providing such an insightful opportunity to assist in nearly every aspect of their practice.
Additionally, I am involved in weekly Outreach Humanity initiatives with the Springfield Dream Center and other local organizations that support underserved segments of my community. Thank you to the many volunteers who helped support and staff Outreach Humanity during these critical community missions.
Starting in August, I am excited to report that I will begin working with the Institute for Family Medicine (IFM) in St. Louis. IFM was founded by Dr. David Campbell in 1999, who recognized that health is at the root of many hardships faced by his fellow St. Louisans. Kids can’t focus in school, parents can’t work to provide for their children, and families in crisis can’t overcome major life hurdles if they’re in poor health. Dr. Dave, as he’s called by most patients, knew he could improve quality of life for those in need by taking healthcare services into the heart of St. Louis’ most disadvantaged communities. IFM Community Medicine lives this mission every day by bringing healthcare services directly to points of need in our community, overcoming access barriers related to cost, transportation, language, and trust. IFM’s mission is remarkably similar to Outreach Humanity, and I was drawn to the convergence of their similarities. I will report later in the Fall on how it is going, and I look forward to the impact I can potentially have on those in need.
Lastly, I am spending any free time I have left to study for the MCAT, and I plan to take it late this summer!