VCOM View Magazine Vol. 12 | No. 1

Student Spotlight Student S tli

VCOM-Carolinas Campus

Sara Worrill VCOM-Virginia Class of 2024

Aly Skoczek VCOM-Auburn Class of 2024

Sara Worrill ’s mother, an osteopathic family practice physician, showed Sara firsthand a dedication and passion for medicine and educating patients that was inspiring. “Her passion inspired me

Aly Skoczek found her career when working as an emergency room scribe in college. Skoczek noted that every day, she found herself engrossed in every aspect of patient care. “All the physicians I worked

to pursue new experiences in healthcare. After working in a variety of medical roles, I knew I wanted a career that would constantly challenge me, provide an opportunity for lifelong learning, while directly helping others,” said Worrill. Worrill has demonstrated tremendous commitment to community service with more than 300 TOUCH hours in the 2021-2022 academic year. She has also served as a mentor to fellow students through her roles as both an ambassador and pre-SOMA mentor, a role she is very passionate about. “I’ve received advice from people in all different stages of their medical education from premeds to current students, residents and attendings. Each individual provides such a unique perspective, and each has guided me on different parts of my medical journey. Being a mentor to others is my way to pay it forward and help future generations of physicians,” said Worrill. Another area Worrill excels at is leadership, evident through her position as BAHM’s committee chair, organizing VCOM’s Behind the Medicine series. This series of lectures covered topics such as: maternal mortality, LGBTQ+ healthcare and how to practice cultural awareness. “This committee excites me as interest in our events continues to grow year after year. Students are willing to put in extra hours outside of classes to develop themselves as professionals who will deliver empathetic and compassionate care.”

with always encouraged my passion and I thank them for shaping me into the future physician that I am,” said Skoczek. Her passion for medicine includes research as well. She has published research on COVID-19’s effect on medical students, both domestically and internationally, and a surgical case report on a rare presentation of asymptomatic appendicitis. She is currently researching postoperative outcomes following robotic hernia repair in patients with modifiable comorbidities and the use of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks and opioid uses following elective hernia repair. Skoczek has presented at multiple national conferences and plans on submitting her current research for publication. Skoczek has held a number of leadership positions at VCOM-Auburn. She served as secretary of the Hispanic Community Medical Outreach student organization (HCMO) and national liaison for the Student American Academy of Osteopathy (SAAO). Currently, while on clinical rotations, Skoczek is serving as the medical student representative for the Madison County Medical Society, and as a member of the Medical Society of the State of Alabama (MASA), as well as a member of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT). She is currently pursuing general surgery as her specialty. While she is not sure where she will eventually end up practicing, she is open to practicing anywhere she can do the most for her patients.

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Spring 2023 | VCOM V iew