May 2, 2022
The Texas Medical Association Medical Student Section recognized Kate Russell, a second-year medical student at the University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM), with its 2022 Student of the Year award. TMA’s House of Delegates policymaking body announced Ms. Russell’s award in Houston during TexMed, TMA’s annual conference, although she first learned several months ago she earned the recognition.
“I was honored when I realized that I had been selected as the Student of the Year at the TMA Winter Conference in January,” she said.
Ms. Russell is the immediate past president of the TMA medical student chapter at TCOM. She is passionate about organized medicine and advocacy.
“With a background in public health policy, I came to medical school hoping to find an organization where I could continue that work,” Ms. Russell said. “TMA provides so many opportunities for medical students to advocate for our profession and our patients, and it empowers us to become part of the policymaking process.”
Joshua Baker, a fellow TCOM student, nominated Ms. Russell. “She has truly exemplified what excellent leadership and commitment to TMA looks like as president of our chapter at TCOM this past year,” he said.
Mr. Baker also said after a year of COVID-19 limiting what the organization could accomplish, this past year Ms. Russell “helped to cultivate the team that was able to create a slew of events” like a flu vaccine clinic for low-income Fort Worth residents. She is also a regular Walk With a Doc event organizer, inviting members of the community to walk with physicians and medical students for exercise and connection with the medical community in the TMA-backed program.
Ms. Russell graduated with a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from Baylor University. She has a master of science degree in public health from Emory University, and will graduate from TCOM with her medical degree in 2024.
Since 1998, the TMA Medical Student Section has recognized an outstanding student member who excels in furthering the section’s goals and policies to improve Texas’ health care system. The chapter aims to engage students in organized medicine by encouraging their involvement in local county medical societies, TMA, and the American Medical Association.
TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 56,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 110 component county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans.
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Contact: Brent Annear (512) 370-1381; cell: (512) 656-7320; email: brent.annear@texmed.org
Swathi Narayanan (512) 370-1382; cell: (408) 987-1318; email: swathi.narayanan@texmed.org
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