Student Doctor Nicole McCormick hails from beautiful Alaska and is a third-year medical student at Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is this year’s recipient of the Alaska Osteopathic Medical Association Scholarship.
Nancy Kragt DO had this to say about Student Doctor McCormick, “Over the years, I have not met many students who truly understand and embrace the unique concepts of Osteopathic Medicine the way Nicole has.
“Nicole was born in Alaska and spent the early years of her life there watching her mother work as an internal medicine physician. She later moved to Anchorage where she was also able to watch her uncle who was a gastroenterologist there. She still returns to Juneau every summer to spend time on her father’s boat and explore all the region has to offer. It takes a special person to live and thrive in an area like Juneau and to understand the special needs of all Alaskans, including our Alaska Native population. No doubt, Nicole possesses that unique understanding and skillset.
“She joined and even co-founded various clubs at school. She has been an active member of the H.O.M.E. organization which provides free medical care and medical education to underserved populations around the Phoenix area. Her interest in this was sparked by her work as a scribe at Alaska Regional Hospital where we see and treat numerous patients fighting housing instability, drug addiction, and mental health problems.
“Nicole embraced learning about and helping this vulnerable population and has now made it her mission. She is also the co-founder of an organization called I.N.S.P.I.R.E. which seeks to support medical students during their training in areas of health, nutrition, exercise, rest, and volunteer opportunities.
“I have no doubt she will continue to excel in her education and to rise as a leader in her future work. Indeed, she is already doing just that!”.
Nicole talked to us about her goals, “I want to continue my effort to make a positive impact in my local community. I took on a role as an education coordinator for a club called H.O.M.E. (Health Outreach through Medicine and Education).
“I was fortunate enough to visit Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) throughout the year and teach the homeless clients the basics of different healthcare topics that they could use in everyday life. The time I spent there solidified that the population I would like to work with in the future is underserved.
“In witnessing the vulnerability and openness of the clients regarding their general life experiences, as well as those specifically within the health care system, I was able to better understand the importance of being a leader, advocate, and pillar in my community.
“In the future, I would like to go beyond providing medical services to this underserved population. More specifically, I would like to empower and promote resiliency within marginalized groups”.
Nicole, the Foundation fully supports your goals and we look forward to following you in your career. Job well done.
Student Doctor McCormick was unable to join us for our Scholarship Celebration Party, but wishes to thank the Foundation Donors and Board of Directors.