Julia hails from the beautiful state of Montana and is a third-year medical student at Rocky Vista University. She is the recipient of the Wonderful World Scholarship in honor of E.L. “Doc” Burnham, DO.
David Ross, DO FACEP had this to say about Julia, “…through my capacity as Director of the Rural and Wilderness Medicine Track at RVUCOM, I have come to know and work with Julia. She is an outstanding student, extremely intelligent, compassionate, and committed to future rural practice in Montana”.
He goes on to say that in assisting another student in a research project, their work led to the creation of a very innovative model permitting drainage of a simulated intracranial epidural hematoma. This is a rarely encountered scenario, but if such a case presents itself in a rural hospital without readily available neurosurgical consultation, the patient can quickly suffer permanent brain injury or death. The ability to practice the drainage procedure is essentially impossible in most clinical settings and the model allows for safe practice.
“Julia has participated in many volunteer activities at RVUCOM. Some of these consist of working with Special Olympic athletes, she served as a tutor for first-year students as well as an Ultrasound Scholar. She is a board member of the Emergency Medicine Residency Interest Club, where she helped organize and staff the Emergency Medicine Obstacle Course. She helped plan and execute a mass casualty training exercise, and is a member of our Simulation Scholar Club”.
Dr. Ross believes the best part about Julia is her personality. She is a “kind person who is always thinking of others. She has a very nice sense of humor and is great to be around. She is the ultimate team player. She is one of the best students I have ever worked with, in all aspects”.
Julia herself stated, “When I think of Montana, I think of the people, who are what makes the state great. They understand that the small things matter and even a small gesture can go a long way, such as a wave while passing by one another on a dirt road or waiting just a little bit longer to hold the door for the next person. I would like to return to the state to serve the people”.
Julia, Montana would be lucky to have you. Congratulations and a job well done.