Student Doctor Jones is an Oregonian and attends Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest as a second-year medical student. She is the recipient of the Genie Willis DO Women’s Scholarship.
Mandilin Hudson, DO, who is the Vice Dean at Comp-NW and the Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, had this to say about Student Doctor Jones,
“Priscilla is insightful, compassionate, and truly dedicated to leadership through service. She has demonstrated her commitment to being a community service leader for her class. One of her unique strengths is her ability to connect students, administrators, and community members to deepen the pool of individuals providing community service.
“Priscilla is serving as the campus student leader on Substance Use Disorder Education and as the Student Osteopathic Medical Association Overdose Prevention Task Force Leader. She attended the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation medical student summer program which helped her to understand the perspective of individuals with substance use disorder (SUD), pushing her to view all people in a more holistic and osteopathic way. It also helped her to recognize the gaps in medical education in understanding SUD and take action.
“Priscilla is making a true positive impact on her community as she also navigates the academic challenges of medical school. She uses her energy, kindness, ideas and connections to help other medical students find a way to use their passion in the community. In short, she is clearly here for the greater good!”
Priscilla tells us this about her goals, “In my conversations with a physician in recovery, I learned the importance of developing a therapeutic alliance between a patient and provider, and that both individuals must value the experience of the other. I believe that true progress in substance use treatment is contingent upon extending the therapeutic alliance from the healthcare setting into the community.
“At an Oregon Recovers event last year, Dr. Sharon Meieran demonstrated this approach in her speech through her convictions that physicians have a duty to use both their medical expertise and insights learned from those in recovery to advocate for improved access to treatment. Her presence at the event as both a physician and government official demonstrated to the community that there are doctors who understand the needs of Oregonians and use their position to create a better healthcare system.
“Witnessing Dr. Meieran’s impact reinforced my belief that local advocacy not only increases access to care but also instills hope that Oregon doctors can be compassionate and attentive to the needs of individuals with substance use disorder.
“As an osteopathic physician, I aim to attend local recovery events to continuously understand their needs and develop partnerships between the healthcare system and people in recovery. By listening to the ideas developed within the community, I can bring solutions to both the Oregon healthcare system and local government that will have a greater impact on those with substance use disorder. My experiences in Oregon helped me find my calling in healthcare, and I am committed to advocating for those with substance use disorder and the local recovery community throughout my career”.
The Foundations congratulates you on a job well done, Priscilla. We look forward to following your career path.
Priscilla I am so proud of you! Congrats on your award and all the best as you continue in med school. You are already making an important difference in this world!.
Congratulations Priscilla on a well-deserved recognition for your contributions to the medical field and your community. Your entire life has been about helping those in need, from animal rescues to helping friends and family during difficult times, to medical school and helping those with addictions or needing mental health care. Continue serving others as you always have.