VCOM View Vol 9-1

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

AwardWinners

the specialty students pursue or where they ultimately practice medicine. She then introduced the finalists for the Golden Ticket Scholarship Award. The new “Golden Ticket” Scholarship Program recognizes exceptional osteopathic medical students while addressing the burden student loans place on upcoming generations of physicians. The winner receives a $25,000 scholarship, while runner- ups receive a $5,000 scholarship. Kortnee Koziara, a finalist for the Golden Ticket Scholarship, was drawn to medicine after her brother was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as an infant. As a result, “I was repeatedly exposed to the many difficulties patients and their families must navigate in order to receive medical care, which has deeply influenced my desire to practice pediatric medicine,” she said.

Dean of VCOM–Virginia, she is one of the most active student leaders. “She hit the ground running when she arrived at VCOM…She is a natural leader with remarkable interpersonal skills and the innate ability to connect with others,” Wilcox said. She is active in the Student Government Association, first as OMS I class representative, later elected as SGA president, as well as the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents. She helped initiate a “big sibling” program at VCOM, pairing incoming students with older student mentors to provide support during their education. Osteopathic medical students honored with the Burnett Osteopathic Student Researcher Award , a $2,000 award, are dedicated to research. They will have developed a concept paper or performed osteopathic-oriented research while enrolled in osteopathic medical school.

DonnaJonesMoritsugu MemorialAward Yolanda Mabry, partner/spouse of Michael Mabry Class of 2017 VCOM-Virginia

Golden Ticket Scholarship Kortnee Koziara Class of 2018 VCOM-Virginia

According to Jan Wilcox, DO,

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Burnett Osteopathic Student Researcher Award Brian Joseph Di Giacinto, DO Class of 2017 VCOM-Carolinas

AOA Presidential Memorial Leadership Award Katherine D. Kirby Class of 2018 VCOM-Virginia

Sneha Shah, VCOM- Virginia student and AOF board member, speaking at the AOF Honors Gala.

winter 2018 | VCOM V iew M agazine 33