COM Outlook - Summer 2015

16 Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine 17 Platinum TOUCH Award—an honor reserved for the NSU-COM student who volunteered the largest number of hours to community service. Even a personal challenge in her second year only served to strengthen her resolve to live a full life. “I really struggled my second year with balanc- ing my own health issues along with my coursework. It was difficult, but it taught me the importance of taking one day at a time,” she explained. “The experience helped me develop a whole new confidence in my capabilities. I feel that if I could get through that difficult year, I could accomplish any- thing life throws at me in the future.” For those who choose a similar and rewarding path, Dr. Julian offers some advice and encouragement for meet- ing the challenges of medical school. “Take one day at a time. If you look at everything you’re expected to get done, it often becomes overwhelming,” she shared. “Thoughts of self-doubt are a waste of the limited time you have as a medical student. If necessary, only focus on the one thing you need to accomplish at a time and then move on to the next task. “Another piece of advice is to remain positive and kind to others,” she added. “Don’t get caught up in your failures; if there is something you want, then just pick yourself up and keep working at it. Don’t worry about competition. Work with your classmates so you may collectively grow stronger together.” Her classmates showed their appreci- ation for her hard work and devotion when they burst into enthusiastic applause at the annual Seniors Awards Ceremony. Dr. Julian was recognized for her service to the community, her class, and her scholarship when she received the Morton and Mary Smith Achieve- ment Award and the Dean’s Orga- nizational Award, as well as earning membership into Sigma Sigma Phi and the Gold Humanism Honor Society. With all she has accomplished on campus and throughout the wider community, her most memorable event in life so far was becoming “engaged a year ago to my best friend—Daniel Kvarnberg. He has been my backbone throughout medical school and has always supported me in every endeavor I chose,” she said. “We are so excited about our upcoming wedding in Negril, Jamaica, on April 29, 2016.” Personally and professionally, Dr. Julian’s future looks bright. “Next year, I will be starting a traditional rotating internship at Broward Health Medical Center, with the goal of matching into a der- matology residency the following year,” she explained. “I love teaching, helping others, and challenging myself. I think the best way to combine these passions is with a career in academics. I will always continue to see patients, but I would like to play a critical role in training future physicians as well. In 10 years, I see myself as a program director or heavily involved in a national osteopathic organization.” Her achievements, commitment, and recognition have brought Dr. Elyse Julian to the end of her student chapter at NSU-COM—preparing her for a new beginning as a highly skilled and compassionate physician set to create a reality more fantastic than anything she ever dreamed of as a girl. By Robin J. Jacobs, Ph.D., M.S.W., M.S. Director of International Medicine INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH Ecuador Medical Expedition Offers Unexpected Insights I N MARCH, 11 first-year NSU-COM students participated in the college’s Ninth Annual Medical Outreach Trip to Ecuador under the leadership of Marie Florent-Carre, D.O., M.P.H., assistant professor of family medicine and public health. Participating NSU-COM students were Jorge Benito, Stephanie Cardona, Benjamin Eike, Daniel Leary, Loan Le, Romeena Lee, Jennifer Maning, Stephanie Montarroyos, Estefania Niewialkouski, Amy Tran, and Claudia Vallin. The outreach contingent provided health care services to nearly 350 individuals of different ages, most of whom had extremely limited access to primary care, continuation of care, specialists, and prescription medications. In some instances, the medical volunteers did not have the resources to treat certain chronic conditions but were able to educate patients on their overall health and prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements. Don’t get caught up in your failures; if there is something you want, then just pick yourself up and keep working at it. Don’t worry about competition. Work with your classmates so you may collectively grow stronger together.