VCOM - Auburn 2018 Yearbook

VCOM-Auburn Student DO of the Year

T his past year, members of the VCOM-Auburn Student DO of the Year Committee announced their selection of a student that best represented the principles of leadership, community service, dedication and professionalism. Amber Neal, a member of the class of 2020, was selected to represent VCOM-Auburn as student DO of the year. VCOM Auburn’s Student DO of the Year,” said Neal. “My medical education at VCOM- Auburn has exceeded all of my expectations,” she added. Neal said that she was especially grateful to the VCOM-Auburn faculty and staff for their support on her medical school journey. Neal also was thankful to her colleagues. “There are so many talented student doctors surrounding me,” said Neal. “I am honored and humbled to have been selected as

“Our VCOM family members continually love and support one another in a community that loves us back,” she added. Neal is from Bandera, Texas, which is on the northwest side of San Antonio. She graduated from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas with a degree in biomedical sciences. Neal played softball for the Bearkats at the position of pitcher. “Working with the team is what I miss the most,” said Neal. “I loved being around a good, powerful, goal-oriented group of women,” Neal added. Neal said it was heartbreaking to hang up her athletic career, but she was proud that she experienced so much in college while still retaining a high GPA. In addition to her athletic career in college, Neal was active in SHAMOS, the Sam Houston Associated Medical Students pre- medical club. She was a member

Amber Neal Class of 2020

of the Tri-Beta national honor society, and conducted genetic research while at Sam Houston. Neal said that she always knew that she wanted to be a doctor. Her parents are pharmacists that operate an on-site pharmacy in a local doctors office. Neal interacted with the nurses and doctors in the office on a regular basis. However, she knew that she wanted to take more of a lead with patient care. Her father confirmed this with her by noting that as he looked back on his career, he likely would have enjoyed being doctor in order to interact more with patients. During the past school year, Neal has been actively involved in numerous student organizations at VCOM-Auburn. She was the president of the American Medical Women’s Association

22