Summer 2013 COM Outlook | NSU College of Osteopathic Medicine

37 COM Outlook . Summer 2013 interests, love community service, and enjoy a hands-on approach are good fits for the principles and practices of osteopathic medicine and the whole individual approach it promotes. “That phone call opened the door to the path I feel my life was supposed to take,” Dr. Young recalled. Medical school has allowed her to explore diverse opportunities and to make an impact on the issues that had affected many of her former students. While completing her second master’s degree, a Master of Public Health, she was accepted into NSU-COM’s yearlong Predoctoral Research Fellow- ship program. That year connected her with Cyril Blavo, D.O., M.P.H. and T.M., FACOP, who was the first to encourage her toward conducting public health research. The fellowship award allowed her to join forces with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and provide health care to South Florida immigrants. Dr. Young researched the need for tests and treat- ments to combat a disabling parasitic disease called lymphatic filariasis. During her fellowship year, Dr. Young founded a medical internship program at a local youth shelter, which helped her establish preventative edu- cational and health services for at-risk adolescents. Getting involved with Planned Parenthood to promote health services ignited Dr. Young’s passion for the right of patients to make in- formed and private medical decisions about their own bodies—especially vis-à-vis reproductive health care. She also became a leader in Medical Stu- dents for Choice (MSFC)—an offshoot of the national organization of students whose members are committed to becoming future pro-choice physicians and providers. With MSFC, Dr. Young and other members organized groups and events to advocate for access to all comprehensive reproductive health care and personally testified six times before the Florida State Legislature regarding the right for women to make private and informed medical deci- sions about their own bodies. Overall, the most exciting highlight of her career has been founding and directing the Reproductive Health Seminar Program with Janet Hamstra, Ed.D., director of preclinical educa- tion and associate professor of internal medicine, who Dr. Young calls her “Nova Mom.” The program trains health professional students to ad- minister comprehensive sexual health education to at-risk youths throughout South Florida. Selected health profes- sional students educated more than 1,000 adolescents on topics including abstinence, birth control, pregnancy, and self-esteem during puberty. Dr. Young hopes to expand the program into a nonprofit organization. A few of the many accolades garnered by Dr. Young’s commitment and leadership in health care include the following: Judy Morris, M.D., Public Health Award (First Place) Florida Osteopathic Medical Association Research Competition Health Professions Division Grant Award American Osteopathic Association Presidential Leadership Award March Of Dimes Florida Chapter Community Award Participating in a 2007 Teach For America Biology classroom in Washington, D.C. Celebratory Trio: Scott Colton, B.A., APR, COM/HPD director of medical communications and publications, Dr. Young, and Debra Gibbs, B.A., COM medical communications coordinator, at the graduation dinner on May 17.