Pulse

Students and faculty recognized by national organization

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students standing shoulder to shoulder

The EVMS chapter of the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) was recently awarded the Paul R. Wright Chapter Success Award at the Future Physicians for Change conference in Phoenix. 

AMSA is a student-governed, national organization committed to representing the concerns of medical students throughout all levels of training, with an emphasis on improving global health equity, health care access, diversity, and professional integrity and development.

The EVMS chapter is active on campus and in the community hosting hands-on training events aimed to educate students on important issues like affordable healthcare, physician mental health and well-being.

“We are truly honored to be recognized as a successful AMSA chapter,” says Trevor Lyford, MPH, EVMS AMSA President, MD Class of 2026. “Our Executive Board worked very hard to plan programs and events that our chapter members could engage with in a meaningful way and we are so excited to carry this momentum into this year.”

Mr. Lyford was also recognized for his work, receiving the Paul E. Farmer Presidential Award for Public Health. “I am humbled and beyond grateful to be honored by the American Medical Student Association for my work in Public Health,” Mr. Lyford says. “AMSA has taught me how to become an active advocate that doesn’t just point out issues but works to fix them.”

Additionally, AMSA awarded the National Golden Apple Award for Teaching Excellence to Julie Kerry, PhD, Chair and Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, EVMS Foundation Distinguished Professor in Biomedical Sciences. The award highlights a medical school professor that deserves international notoriety due to their improvements or advancements in medical education. Dr. Kerry says the award was very meaningful to her because she was nominated by EVMS students. “Our students are a constant source of inspiration for me, their commitment to medicine and the community around us. They motivate me to do the very best that I can every single day to do my part in helping the students fulfill their dreams,” says Dr. Kerry. “I am incredibly humbled and grateful to have that acknowledged by receiving this award.” 

The EVMS AMSA chapter is planning several events this fall. If you would like to support their efforts or get involved, visit their booth at the Activities Fair on Thursday, Aug. 31, attend their first interest meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 1:00pm, or email evmsamsaofficial@gmail.com with any questions or inquiries.

Pictured Above from left to right: Trevor Lyford, MPH, MD Class of 2026; Max McHugh, MD (MD '22); Rohini Kousalya Siva, MD (MD '23), Nationalal AMSA President; Jill Fleming, MD Class of 2026, Jared Lausen, MD Class of 2026.