Student Ambassadors: Arkansas

Kylee Eilers

keilers@nyit.edu

she/her/hers

Hometown: Bowling Green, KY
Highest Education: B.S.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): Western Kentucky University (Biology)
Clubs and Activities: Student Ambassador, Orientation Leader, Student Run Free Clinic Strategic Action Planning Committee (SRFC-SAPC), American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP), Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA)

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I chose to attend NYITCOM-AR due to the alignment of the school's mission with my own personal values as an aspiring physician. I come from a rural area in Kentucky and know that I wish to return to a rural or underserved region to practice medicine, and this school provides me with ample resources and experiences to do so.

What is special about NYITCOM? The community and togetherness of NYITCOM is most special to me. Medical school is challenging in ways that you cannot prepare for, but the community found within the school provides great support and resources to help alleviate stressors. From day one, people are supporting you and your journey to becoming a D.O.

What are your future plans and goals? Although I am still undecided on the specialty I wish to pursue, I do believe I will be practicing a form of primary care back in rural Kentucky. I wish to give back to my hometown, which provided me with all of the support I needed to get to where I am now.

Elizabeth Duplechain

eduplech@nyit.edu

she/her

Hometown: Opelousas,La
Highest Education: B.S.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): Louisiana State University (Psychology)
Clubs and Activities: Ambassador, Orientation Leader for Class of 2028

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I chose NYITCOM because of the of the positive, friendly, uplifting atmosphere I felt when touring and even on Zoom meetings prior to visit in person. Medical school is hard and having a close-knit campus makes it much brighter.

What is special about NYITCOM? The relationships I have made and grown here are what is special to me. The professors and other students make it easy to come to labs, meetings, and class. I hope to continue my relationships with them past medical school.

What are your future plans and goals? My goal is to be a practicing physician while also working in academic medicine. I am not sure on what specialty but I am excited to find out! I plan to practice in the Southern US.

Shelby Sullivan

ssulli05@nyit.edu

Hometown: Naylor, MO
Highest Education: M.S
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): College of the Ozarks (biology) NYIT (Masters on biomedical science)
Clubs and Activities: SOMA, ACOFP, ACOOG

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I chose NYITCOM because it is the closest school to home for me. I wanted to be able to lean on my support system throughout my medical school career and this was the perfect place to do that.

What is special about NYITCOM? I love the rural health mission of the school. I am from a rural community and have seen the great need, so I am very appreciative of the school's commitment to fill that need.

What are your future plans and goals? My goal is to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology. I want to focus on rural health care in northeast Arkansas and southeast Missouri.

Kayne Wilson

jwilso18@nyit.edu

He/him

Hometown: Paragould, AR
Highest Education: B.S. Biology Pre-Professional
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): Arkansas State University (Major:Biology Pre-Professional Minor: Spanish)
Clubs and Activities: Student ambassador, DCV,

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I chose NYITCOM because it resides in my hometown, and I want to continue to serve my community as it did me growing up. I love this region and the people in it, and I want to see the overall health of the Delta region significantly increase while combating the physician shortage.

What is special about NYITCOM? NYITCOM is such a close knit community of people. Everyone is pulling for each other to succeed because ultimately we are all reaching for the same goal no matter where we end up. You can also feel the support from the Doctors at NYITCOM and how they want to see us succeed more than anyone else.

What are your future plans and goals? I plan to stay in this region of close to it. My specialty is still not set it stone for me, but I would love to end up in Interventional Radiology or Orthopedic Surgery.

Lacy Sowers

lhance@nyit.edu

she/her

Hometown: Rolla, MO
Highest Education: MS
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): Saint Louis University (BA. Biochemistry), University of Missouri S&T (MS. Biological Sciences)
Clubs and Activities: RSO Leadership: SIMS Community Outreach Liaison & CMDA Secretary. Other RSO Involvement: ACOS, AMWA, ACOOG. Other involvement: Student Ambassadors, Orientation Leader

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I was interested in NYITCOM based on their commitment to serving rural areas in the Mississippi Delta and focus on Population Health. After visiting NYITCOM I felt invited into the community and knew I would be right at home in Jonesboro.

What is special about NYITCOM? NYITCOM is special because it has a widespread network of connections, both in the Mississippi Delta and around the US. The school goes out of their way to plug you in to wherever you want to be and works hard to help you achieve your goals. I also found the size of Jonesboro to be just right and appreciate the welcoming atmosphere from the community.

What are your future plans and goals? I'm currently most interested in pursuing OBGYN as a specialty, because it has a surgical component but also a primary care side of things. Eventually I'd like to practice in a rural area, possibly within the Mississippi Delta. My goal is to provide a wide coverage of services to an area with a strong need.

Stuti Chatterjee

schatt03@nyit.edu

she/her/hers

Hometown: Bryant, Arkansas
Highest Education: B.S., B.A.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): UA Little Rock (Biology B.S.), (Chemistry B.A.)
Clubs and Activities: SIMS, SNMA

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I wanted to stay close to my family and friends at the time and I got a chance to do that by going here. The match rate and the amount of prep you do for boards was another attraction for me at this school, especially some of the resources that are available free to us.

What is special about NYITCOM? I think it’s a very tight knit community and everyone is trying to look out for you. If you ask a peer for help or even an older student, they are more than willing to show you the ropes.

What are your future plans and goals? I would like to go into family medicine and provide care in Arkansas

Shayna Tharp

stharp@nyit.edu

Hometown: Naylor, MO
Highest Education: M.S.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): Arkansas State University (B.S. in Biology); NYITCOM (M.S. in Biomedical Sciences)
Clubs and Activities: SOMA (Vice President), ACOP (Vice President), ACOFP + Rural Medicine (Member), Delta Care-A-Van

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I chose NYITCOM because it hits close to home to me. The mission of NYITCOM-Jonesboro serves to provide medical care in the rural, underserved areas of Arkansas and that is exactly what I aim to contribute to one day.

What is special about NYITCOM? The most special thing about NYITCOM is the closeness of all the students and faculty. It really is its own community where the faculty know and interact with each one of the students on the daily and are focused on providing one-on-one support. The support system at NYITCOM is absolutely unmatched and I am so grateful I chose NYITCOM.

What are your future plans and goals? I plan to practice in either family medicine or pediatrics and would like to work in rural, underserved areas of Arkansas where I can contribute to solving the physician shortage.

Georgie Huber

ghuber@nyit.edu

She/her/hers

Hometown: Sewanee, TN
Highest Education: B.S.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): University of the South - Sewanee (Biology/Russian)
Clubs and Activities: American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians (ACOP), Delta Care-A-Van, SOMA (membership)

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I chose NYITCOM because it gave me the opportunity to continue working and learning in the Delta region, a place filled with spirited and vibrant communities. I knew that I would have a good support system not only by being close to Memphis (where I consider to be my second home) but because of the open and understanding environment of NYITCOM students, faculty, and staff.

What is special about NYITCOM? The most special part of NYITCOM to me is the people that I have the privilege of working alongside and learning from as I pursue my medical degree. There is an over abundance of support and love on our campus and I can’t imagine going through this journey with any other community of people.

What are your future plans and goals? I am undecided on what specific specialty I want to pursue but I have interests in Hematology/Oncology, Pediatrics, and Surgery. I hope to stay in the Delta Region and would love to one day end up back in Memphis.

Treyton Farnan

tfarna01@nyit.edu

Hometown: Barnard, Missouri
Highest Education: B.A.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): University of Kansas (Biochemistry)
Clubs and Activities: NYITCOM-AR Student Ambassador SOMA- Director of Professional Development

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I was raised in a small farming community with a population of about 200 in NW Missouri where I saw firsthand the healthcare barriers and lack of access/education that many small towns across our country face. I chose to attend NYITCOM at A-State because I could tell that this school really cared about serving and educating these communities and would help equip me as a future physician to do the same.

What is special about NYITCOM? The staff in charge of creating the curriculum has done a really great job of balancing in-person and online content so that you can personalize your workload and study style with all online lectures, while still having more than enough opportunities to talk to professors face-to-face and make friends during the in-person events like labs.

What are your future plans and goals? I want to do residency training in either family medicine or neurology with a special focus on memory/Alzheimer's care, whichever route I go. I plan to end up back in a rural (or underserved) community where I can really invest in healthcare education and genuine relationships with my patients.

Parker Meeks

pmeeks@nyit.edu

HE/HIM/HIS

Hometown: Jonesboro, AR
Highest Education: B.S., B.A.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): Arkansas State University (B.S. Premedical Biological Sciences & B.A. Chemistry)
Clubs and Activities: Wilderness Medicine - President, American College of Surgery (ACOS), American College of Internists (ACOI), American College of Emergency Physicians (ACOEP), Student Initiative in Medical Simulation (SIMS), Delta Care-A-Van, NEA Foodbank, Project H.E.A.R.T. Camp Counselor

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I'm proud to call Jonesboro my hometown; so much so that I even attended undergrad at this same campus. Being able to continue my education here—while helping my community through healthcare screenings, packaging food for those in need, and advocating for students to pursue healthcare—convinced me this is where I belong.

What is special about NYITCOM? One of NYITCOM's main goals is to provide healthcare services to those living in underserved areas like the Delta. Having grown up in Arkansas and seeing these difficulties firsthand, I am proud to be at a campus that advocates and pushes for better health in my home state.

What are your future plans and goals? I plan to pursue a career in either general surgery, emergency medicine, or an internal medicine subspeciality such as pulmonology. No matter my field, I wish to practice in a rural, mid-sized town so that I can create meaningful relationships with my patients and help them develop lifelong healthy habits.

Julia Neiswander

jneiswan@nyit.edu

Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Highest Education: B.S.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): Texas A&M University (Biology)
Clubs and Activities: ACOOG President Research Board of Director for SOMA Delta-Care-A-Van Participant Maternal Health and Learning Care Communities Research

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I chose NYITCOM-AR due to the emphasis on bringing healthcare to where it is needed the most. With programs such as the Delta-Care-A-Van and the Delta Population Health Institute, there is a big focus on addressing the needs of medical deserts. This program's mission keeps me motivated and inspired on my journey to becoming a physician.

What is special about NYITCOM? In addition to the mission of serving medical deserts in the Delta region, this program has a close-knit community of students and faculty members. There are many student groups to join and there is an overall supportiveness amongst the student body. The faculty members on both the Jonesboro and Long Island campuses are approachable and accessible which is a great resource to assist with learning the content.

What are your future plans and goals? I plan to pursue a specialty in OB/GYN since women's health is my passion. Maternal mortality is a concern in Arkansas specifically, and this has created the Maternal Health Initiative at NYITCOM-AR which has the overall goal to improve this statistic. It is an honor to participate in this initiative and I hope to continue this work in the future as a practicing OB/GYN.

Elizabeth May

emay@nyit.edu

she/her/hers

Hometown: Erie, Pa
Highest Education: B.S.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): Kent State University (Biology, Healthcare Ethics)
Clubs and Activities: Student Ambassadors, ACOP, ACOI, ACOFP, SIMS, SOMA

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I chose to attend NYITCOM because I was excited for the opportunity to work with the community. I have been able to do this by working with the Delta Care-a-Van and Project HEART. I enjoy getting to serve the community and learn more about the health care needs of this area.

What is special about NYITCOM? The sense of community at NYITCOM is special to me. I have felt at home with students and faculty here. I feel like everyone is looking out for each other across the campus.

What are your future plans and goals? I am undecided on a medical speciality, but I am interested in working in a hospital setting. I am considering pediatrics, internal medicine and emergency medicine, but I am open to the possibilities!

Hunter Dance

jdance@nyit.edu

Hometown: Memphis, TN
Highest Education: B.S.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): University of Tennessee (Neuroscience)
Clubs and Activities: ACONP (Treasurer), SIMS, SOMA, ACOP, ACOEP

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I chose NYITCOM-Arkansas because I wanted to be close to my family and serve the communities I grew up in. NYITCOM's mission to improve healthcare access to underserved and rural populations in the Delta region aligns with my goals and aspirations as a future physician.

What is special about NYITCOM? The friends I have made and the incredible and close sense of community make NYITCOM-Arkansas a special place to call home.

What are your future plans and goals? My future plans for my medical degree may change. I am currently most interested in specializing in Neurology or Pediatrics. However, I plan on keeping an open mind as I go on clinical rotations next year.

June Dunwald

jlee123@nyit.edu

She/Her

Hometown: Torrington, Connecticut
Highest Education: B.S.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): University of Connecticut (Molecular Cell Biology)
Clubs and Activities: Academic Affairs Representative, Curriculum Affairs Representative, Emergency Medicine RSO, AMOPS

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I chose NYITCOM because of its long-lasting reputation. Also, I served in the military with several NYITCOM alumni who are great physicians and I trust that I can get quality education at NYITCOM.

What is special about NYITCOM? NYITCOM at A-state has a smaller class size where everyone knows everyone and helps each other to succeed. Medical school is challenging, but it is easier to go through it with a great group of classmates. We take care of each other, share resources, and for that, I am thankful of my classmates.

What are your future plans and goals? I want to learn as much as I can, so I am interested in a lot of fields. However, I am currently interested in Emergency Medicine or trauma-related field. Regardless of what I end up doing, I also want to use medical degree to help bring healthcare to underserve communities and help advocate for areas in needs.

Alli Klusmeyer

aklusmey@nyit.edu

She/Her

Hometown: Columbia, Missouri
Highest Education: B.S
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): University of Missouri (Biological Sciences)
Clubs and Activities: American Medical Womans Association Co-President, American College of Osteopathic Surgeons, SIMS, Christian Medical/Dental Association, Student Osteopathic Internal Medicine Association

Why did you choose NYITCOM? NYITCOM was an easy choice. I wanted a big campus, but a small enough class to get to know everyone. We get to use all of the amenities at Arkansas State, but have our own building on campus.

What is special about NYITCOM? The people are the best part about this school. Medical school is hard, but its possible with the support of my wonderful classmates and professors.

What are your future plans and goals? I am hoping to move to St. Louis for residency. I'm not sure which exact specialty, but I know I want to do surgery or some type of procedures. Possibly interventional cardiology or gastroenterology.

Nicole-Halina Kogut

nkogut@nyit.edu

Hometown: Oviedo, FL
Highest Education: M.S.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): Graduate: University of Central Florida (Biomedical Sciences, M.S.); Undergraduate: University of Central Florida (Health Sciences, B.S.)
Clubs and Activities: American College of Osteopathic Surgeons (President), Student American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics (Secretary), Student American Academy of Osteopathy.

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I chose to attend NYITCOM because of its strong emphasis on patient-centered care. I believe that the institution's dedication to prioritizing patients and the community provides an ideal environment for students to learn the principles of becoming an effective osteopathic physician.

What is special about NYITCOM? What stands out to me about NYITCOM is the small class sizes which allow for more personalized attention and meaningful interactions; The close relationships fostered between students and faculty create a supportive and collaborative learning environment, enhancing both academic and personal growth.

What are your future plans and goals? I aspire to pursue any specialty that allows me to be inside of an OR. I really enjoy the hands-on aspect of surgery and the challenging and fast-paced environment of the operating theatre. I hope to serve a wide patient population and envision a future in which I can contribute to the amelioration of healthcare disparities in medically underserved areas.

Josh Enger

jenger@nyit.edu

He/Him

Hometown: Munford, TN
Highest Education: B.S.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): Auburn (Biomedical Science)
Clubs and Activities: DPHI Volunteer Ortho RSO National Liaison Officer Sports Medicine RSO President

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I chose NYITCOM for its location and mission. It’s not too far from home and is focused on building versatile, competent physicians for practice in underserved locations.

What is special about NYITCOM? NYITCOM is great because of the variety of RSOs and student centered activities. The small class size is great and you get to know each of your classmates on a far deeper level than in undergrad.

What are your future plans and goals? I’m hoping to become either an ortho surgeon or a general surgeon and practice in an underserved location. I grew up near a hospital that lacked a surgery center and I think it’d be a great thing to provide services in an area in great need. If I can’t do surgery, sports med seems like a great alternative.

Shubh Patel

spate410@nyit.edu

He/Him/His

Hometown: Lexington, TN
Highest Education: B.S.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): University of TN Knoxville (Food Science)
Clubs and Activities: SAOAO (Treasurer), SOMA (Treasurer), ACOFP (Member), SIMS (Member)

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I chose NYITCOM in Arkansas due to its mission in catering to underserved and rural areas such as mine. I too grew up in the delta region, and I plan on staying here to serve my community upon completion of residency.

What is special about NYITCOM? The community here at NYITCOM and professors here really make it a special place for me. It truly doesn't feel like a cutthroat environment here, everybody, including the professors, cares about each other's wellbeing.

What are your future plans and goals? Upon completion of residency, I plan on coming back to my community and serve my area as it is underserved, especially in specialty care. I also want to start my own orthopedic clinic where I can charge my own small standardized fee, so patients don't have to worry about dealing with insurance or even having it.

Heavin Oh

hoh02@nyit.edu

She/Her

Hometown: Houston, Texas
Highest Education: B.S.A.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): The University of Texas at Austin (Chemistry)
Clubs and Activities: SOMA N.O.D. DPHI Student Ambassador ACOP Secretary ACOFP Public Relations Chair DIM Vice President

Why did you choose NYITCOM? Medical education serves as the cornerstone for students to refine their skills and deliver exceptional, patient-centered care. NYITCOM captured my interest due to its distinctive approach, offering unparalleled opportunities to directly apply learned knowledge in providing hands-on care to underserved communities. I was confident in that NYITCOM will not only enhance my observational and technical abilities but also equip me to make a meaningful impact on patients' lives in the future.

What is special about NYITCOM? During my journey at NYITCOM, I have experienced profound personal growth and had the privilege to engage with a vibrant community of students from diverse backgrounds. NYITCOM fosters a strong student community, where collaboration thrives, and we collectively navigate through challenges, strengthening our bonds and skills along the way.

What are your future plans and goals? Upon earning my medical degree, I aspire to leverage my rich experiences in either internal medicine (gastroenterology) or family medicine. My goal is to create a welcoming environment where patients and families feel empowered to seek out attentive and effective care. I am driven to embody a physician who eagerly embraces challenges, consistently striving to achieve new milestones.

Hannah Vandenbroek

hvande01@nyit.edu

Hometown: Clarksville, TN
Highest Education: B.S.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): University of Toledo (Biology)
Clubs and Activities: Student American Academy of Osteopathy (SAAO)

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I chose to attend NYITCOM due to its values of training osteopathic physicians lifetime learning and practice. I value the ideals of supporting and contributing positively to the surrounding community, and serving a rural population is something that I am interested in, as well as being driving distance from my family.

What is special about NYITCOM? One of my favorite things about NYITCOM is the family atmosphere. From the minute I stepped onto campus everyone both faculty and students were so welcoming and working towards a shared goal, which made making the move to a new state, a new city, and a new community away from home that much easier.

What are your future plans and goals? I am unsure of what specialty I want to pursue, however I do know that I want to be a physician that my patients can trust and confide in, providing high quality, evolving care and a sense of comfort when situations may not have much. I hope to practice in the south/southeastern US and make a difference in the communities that I may serve.

Vaidehi Patel

vpate196@nyit.edu

She/her/hers

Hometown: Chicago, IL
Highest Education: M.S.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): Kent State University (Biology)
Clubs and Activities: ACOS (Treasurer), SGA (Class of 2027 Legislative Committee), AMWA, SOMA, Delta Care-A-Van

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I chose NYITCOM because of its mission to providing quality healthcare to the underserved communities and its strong emphasis on holistic healthcare. The Delta Care-a-van initiative, which provides free healthcare screenings in remote areas of the delta region, exemplifies the hands-on community engagement and service I value. This focus on addressing healthcare disparities and the practical experience offered made NYITCOM the ideal choice for my medical education.

What is special about NYITCOM? The small class sizes at NYITCOM at A-State fosters a close-knit and supportive learning environment. The professors are dedicated to providing mentorship and guidance to the students and everyone is always willing to help one another when needed. This sense of community is what makes NYITCOM special and makes it feel like home!

What are your future plans and goals? As of now, I am interested in pursuing surgery or IM. However, I am keeping an open mind and looking forward to exploring other specialties during rotations.

Madeline Farris

mfarris@nyit.edu

Hometown: Pocahontas, AR
Highest Education: B.S.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): Arkansas State University (Biology)
Clubs and Activities: Student Ambassador, Delta Care-a-van.

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I want to return to my rural, medically underserved hometown after graduating and NYITCOM’s values and beliefs align perfectly with that. NYITCOM is also close to home which allows me to stay connected to the community I want to serve in the future.

What is special about NYITCOM? I love the feeling of family that NYITCOM brings. There’s a strong sense that everyone wants you to succeed and help you do so.

What are your future plans and goals? I plan on becoming a family practice physician and returning to my hometown of Pocahontas, AR, a small rural town in North East Arkansas.

Catherine Jensen

clee57@nyit.edu

Hometown: Conway, Arkansas
Highest Education: M.S.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): Hendrix College (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)
Clubs and Activities: Student Ambassador Program, SAAO

Why did you choose NYITCOM? All of my grandparents immigrated to the United States to provide their children with better opportunities than were available to them, with my father's parents establishing a mom and pop grocery store in Elaine, AR. As an Arkansas resident, I've seen the need for quality healthcare, and NYITCOM Jonesboro's focus on providing healthcare to rural areas seemed like a great way to stay in touch with my roots and needs of the community that I hope to serve one day, as well as a way to honor the life of my grandparents.

What is special about NYITCOM? Growing up, I heard horror stories of how cut throat medical school could/would be, but I've found that the atmosphere at NYITCOM Jonesboro is completely different than what was described to me! Medical school is a tough on it's own, but it's not so bad with a community of classmates and faculty that are all rooting for you.

What are your future plans and goals? I am interested in pursuing a residency in internal medicine and am considering specializations in Hematology/Oncology or Pulmonary/Critical Care medicine. I plan to practice in Arkansas as a way to take care of the community that took care of me.

Ashton Stappert

astapper@nyit.edu

She/her/hers

Hometown: Palm Harbor, FL
Highest Education: B.S.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): Florida State University (Biology)
Clubs and Activities: Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA; Pre-SOMA Director), American College of Osteopathic Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOOG), American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians (ACOEP), Student Initiative in Medical Initiative (SIMS)

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I chose NYITCOM-AR for its commitment to providing care to underserved populations, its supportive environment, and its emphasis on population health education. NYITCOM-AR's emphasis on service-learning opportunities through the Delta Population Health Institute further solidified my decision to pursue an education here.

What is special about NYITCOM? NYITCOM is special to me through the close-knit community reinforced through our smaller class sizes and faculty's continuous mentorship. I have develop closed relationships with my peers, knowing that I can rely on them for support and encouragement through my medical education and career. I also know I can reach out to our faculty and receive punctual feedback whether its regarding course material or career guidance.

What are your future plans and goals? With the medical education I receive from NYITCOM, I plan to become an active physician in the community I practice in and teaching health advocacy to the patients I care for. I am currently interested in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Internal Medicine, or Family Medicine. However, I am keeping an open mind while continuing my education and going into rotations in the future.

Sibel Mehmed

smehmed@nyit.edu

She/Her/Hers

Hometown: Chicago, IL
Highest Education: B.S.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): Loyola University Chicago (Biology & Psychology)
Clubs and Activities: American Osteopathic College of Anesthesiologists National Liaison, Delta Care-A-Van, ACOOG member

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I chose to attend NYITCOM because of their mission to improve access to healthcare for individuals from underserved regions in Arkansas and the Delta Region. Their mission coincides with my passion for bridging the gap between patients and access to healthcare.

What is special about NYITCOM? The community at NYITCOM is very special. It truly feels like being part of a large family where everyone is happy to help one another.

What are your future plans and goals? While there are several specialities I am interested in, I am trying to keep an open mind throughout this process. I hope to practice medicine in an underserved community.

Madyson Monday

mmonday@nyit.edu

Hometown: Independence, MO
Highest Education: B.S.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): Missouri State University (Microbiology & Biotechnology)
Clubs and Activities: VP of American Medical Woman’s Association (AMWA) VP of American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians & Rural Medicine (ACOFP)

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I chose NYITCOM Arkansas because of its strong emphasis on rural medicine and community service. The college's commitment to addressing the needs of underserved areas aligns with my career goals. Furthermore, NYITCOM offers numerous research opportunities, supported by both the NYIT faculty and our partnership with Arkansas State University

What is special about NYITCOM? Some things I love about NYITCOM is the excellent faculty-to-student ratio, which allows for ample one-on-one communication and personalized mentorship. Additionally, the early hands-on experience with standardized patients and clinical training with the school's clinical staff is invaluable. Furthermore, having access to the amenities at Arkansas State University, including intramural sports, enhances the overall student experience

What are your future plans and goals? I plan on pursuing rural primary care with a focus on family medicine and woman’s health.

Shannon Tubbesing

stubbesi@nyit.edu

She/her

Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Highest Education: BSA
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): The University of Texas (Biology major, Spanish minor)
Clubs and Activities: Student Ambassador, Treasurer for ACOEP (Emergency Medicine), Pubic Relations for SOMA

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I chose to attend NYITCOM because of its dedication to serving medically underserved communities. I was particularly interested in the Delta Care-A-Van program for is mission and the chance to get early hands on experience.

What is special about NYITCOM? NYITCOM is special to me because of the collaborative environment that all of the students have made here. Everyone is looking out for each other and working to learn and grow together, rather than being in constant competition with one another.

What are your future plans and goals? I am currently interested in Emergency Medicine as well as global health programs. But, I am still keeping an open mind as we learn new things!

Eva Wilk

ewilk@nyit.edu

she/her/her's

Hometown: Plano, Tx
Highest Education: B.S. & B.A.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): Arkansas State University-biology, Arkansas State University-chemistry, Arkansas State University- minor spanish
Clubs and Activities: SAMOPS, Ambassadors, AOAO, SAAO, Delta Caravan, SOSA

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I ideally wanted to stay in the delta, as I have strong ties to the local community, so applying to NYITCOM Jonesboro was the best choice for me. Additionally, the college really focuses on connecting their student population with leaders and physicians in the area, which was very important to me.

What is special about NYITCOM? NYITCOM is special to me because of all of the opportunities they have made available to their students. As a first year student, I can be a part of outreach in the local population that is such a unique and special opportunity. From the ambassador's, to the Delta Caravan to the pre-clinical experiences, the opportunities are endless!

What are your future plans and goals? I plan to be a career Air-Force physician, serving my country to the best of my ability. As far as which specialty I would like to pursue, I am not entirely sure yet!

Samantha Huang

shuang42@nyit.edu

She/her/hers

Hometown: Snellville, GA
Highest Education: MPH
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): University of Georgia (Biology), University of Georgia (MPH Epidemiology)
Clubs and Activities: DIM (President), AOCA (Vice President), SRFC (Patient Engagement), AMWA (Secretary), Student Ambassadors (Education Chair), Delta Care-a-Van (Volunteer), SOMA-NOD (Volunteer)

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I chose to attend NYITCOM because of its strong curriculum and multiple hands-on experiences. The school gives us so many opportunities to practice the skills that we learn such as in our Institute of Clinical Competence or with the Delta Care-a-Van or even in our Early Clinical Experiences.

What is special about NYITCOM? What is special to me about NYITCOM is its sense of community. Students are always willing to help each other and share resources to help each other succeed. Faculty and staff are always open to chatting and are sincerely wanting us to succeed.

What are your future plans and goals? With my medical degree, I am leaning toward specializing in sports medicine, focusing on both clinical practice and research, but I am very open to different specialties. My goal is to work in my own clinic in an underserved area, where I can contribute to patient care, medical education, and public health initiatives, particularly those addressing social determinants of health and vaccine hesitancy.

Harley Duncan

dharley@nyit.edu

Hometown: Marion, AR
Highest Education: M.S.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): Undergraduate: University of Tennessee (Major: Kinesiology / Minor: Biology) Graduate: NYITCOM-Jonesboro (Masters in Biomedical Science)
Clubs and Activities: I am currently part of SOMA (Student Osteopathic Medical Association) serving as National Liaison Officer, a Student Ambassador, Biomedical Sciences Mentor, a frequent participant in Delta Care-a-van events, and lastly part of Dr. Xie Neuro research team in the ABI (animal behavior institute) here on our NYITCOM -JB campus.

Why did you choose NYITCOM? Rural health is at the pinnacle of NYITCOM's mission, and coming from small town Arkansas I have first hand seen the impact that inadequate healthcare can have on populations of adult, pediatric, and geriatric patients. I chose this campus because our school provides its student's with first hand experiences where we are able to practice not only our clinical skills but also the art of building rapport with patients in the populations that need us the most.

What is special about NYITCOM? NYITCOM is well known in northeastern Arkansas through our many arms of outreach; we provide screening events for salvation army, employee health, public back-to-school events, and many more. We also create many pipeline opportunities for medical students to engage with adolescents in middle and high school to spark interest and answer all questions related to health and education. Community is what makes NYITCOM so special to me, both inside and outside the walls of Wilson Hall!

What are your future plans and goals? I plan to establish practice in the Mississippi Delta region where I have high hopes of matching into a Neurology residency program. My goals are to further research in the field of spinal nerve injury and serve the underserved in my own and neighboring communities.

Florence Kang

fkang01@nyit.edu

She/Her/Hers

Hometown: Northbrook, IL
Highest Education: B.S.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Molecular and Cellular Biology)
Clubs and Activities: ACOP President, SOMA Community Outreach Co-Director, DIM Secretary, Orientation Leader, SRFC Patient Engagement Council Member, DPHI Ambassador, Delta Care-A-Van

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I chose to attend NYITCOM because of the numerous opportunities for community engagement. Through the various volunteering opportunities or Delta Care-A-Van, I'm reminded of the reason why I started medical school in the first place and continue to be motivated to work towards my goals.

What is special about NYITCOM? What makes NYITCOM special is the community. The support system, whether it's faculty, fellow classmates, or upperclassmen, keep me grounded and continue to push me to be successful.

What are your future plans and goals? Currently, I am most interested in pediatrics and hope to go back to practice in my surrounding communities. I want to work on preventative medicine and expand the health literacy of my patients.

Gabriel Christian

gchris02@nyit.edu

Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee
Highest Education: B.S.
Undergrad/Grad School (Major): Christian Brothers University
Clubs and Activities: Radiology RSO (Treasurer), Delta Care-a-Van, CMDA, SIMS

Why did you choose NYITCOM? I chose NYITCOM because of its focus to serve the Delta Region through the many programs the school has in place to achieve this goal. Furthermore the incorporation of technology into the curriculum and the abundant amount of resources the COM has for our success, solidified my decision.

What is special about NYITCOM? The community at NYITCOM is very welcoming both faculty and students. Everyone is supportive and open to helping each other, and this is something I felt from my first day on campus.

What are your future plans and goals? Currently I am keeping an open mind toward specialties before going to rotations, however Radiology and Internal Medicine do interest me. In the future I plan to practice in underserved communities in my hometown.