Student Doctor Duncan is a third-year student at the Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest. She hails from Montana and is this year’s recipient of the Shirley Carpenter Memorial Endowment scholarship.
Sherry Harbert, Communications and Programs Director of the MIKE Program, had this to say about Madeleine, “Madeleine exemplifies the highest standards and commitment to improving healthcare set forth in osteopathic medicine. She has a profound impact on everyone she interacts with, from teenagers struggling to find their place in the world, to medical professionals who serve on MIKE’s Board of Directors. Individuals respond to her warmth, understanding, and wisdom with renewed trust and energy.
“Her enthusiasm, knowledge, and willingness to learn and build a program within a rural, low socioeconomic community has been phenomenal. Her leadership helped expand the program from a small lunchtime club to an integral part of the school’s anatomy and physiology courses.
“In 2022, her impact on students was recognized as a significant benefit to medically underserved communities by the U.S. Public Health Service Excellence in Public Health Award. Madeleine is the future we hope to see”.
Madeleine told us this about her future goals, “My experiences as a leader in Equality Alliance Club, Latino Medical Student Association, White Coats for Black Lives, and Global Health Club in addition to volunteering at local clinics and prior experience as a Girl Scout Camp Assistant Director have created a platform for me to expand diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
“Because it is sometimes the small things in life that can make the biggest difference, I will devote time to playing music, continue to smile at everyone I meet, and knit baby hats and bake cookies for those around me. Even though every person is different and faces life with unique talents and challenges, we are the same in our need to be cared for and respected. This concept is central to everything I do”.
The Foundation is very proud of the goals you have already accomplished, Madeleine, and we look forward to watching you succeed in life. Job well done.