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Student Doctor of the Year Kara Smith, (‘20)
ourth-year medical student, Kara Smith, was named the Campbell Medicine 2019 Student DO of the Year. Smith, a member of the Class of 2020, is pursuing a career in emergency medicine. This award comes as no surprise to anyone who knows Kara and has had the opportunity to teach, learn or serve alongside her. “Kara has taken on more responsibility as a medical student than anyone I know,” said Ryan Machiele, MSIV, Class of 2020 President. “She consistently keeps a dizzying array of plates spinning, and I believe her defining feature is that she is most happy doing so and does it with excellence.”
of the most personable, hardworking, and empathetic individuals they have had the pleasure of teaching and learning with.” In addition to serving as a teaching assistant, she volunteered with the Community Care Clinic as a student provider and assistant laboratory director. She also assisted in organizing the Mr. CUSOM fundraiser, an annual benefit for the clinic. “[Kara displayed] outstanding physician skills in the free student-run [Community Care] clinic and excellent OMM skills,” shared Dr. Charles Smutny, assistant professor of osteopathic manipulative medicine. “I would love to have her come back on our faculty. She’s
The Student DO of the Year Award is a national "Kara Smith has had a profound impact on the Campbell community: she has award sponsored by relentless enthusiasm, unmatched grit, and she will surely continue to elevate the Association of those around her while doing the most for the patients who are fortunate American Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine enough to be cared for by her in the emergency department." to recognize students - RYAN MACHIELE, Class of 2020 President at each osteopathic medical school “on the basis of their service to their college, leadership and super bright, very talented, and has osteopathic patientresearch experiences, and dedication to the osteopathic centered skills second to none at her level of training.” profession.” Smith’s fellow classmates, as well as students from other At Campbell, medical students can be nominated for classes, echoed similar praise. Kathryn Wershing, MSStudent DO of the Year anonymously by fellow students, IV, shared, “ … she was always there to lend a helping faculty and staff. The selection committee reviews the hand or offer a shoulder to cry on. She was your number recommendations, overall experience, and personal one supporter, highest motivator, and always eager to be statements for each nominee to determine the recipient. involved … she gave 110% to every single thing that had her name involved in it.” According to the committee, some key reasons Smith was selected are her “ever-present big smile and Kara not only has a heart for serving others around her, willingness to help others.” She also served as a lead but she also exemplifies strong leadership skills and advocate for the annual Incoming Student Lake Retreat passion for the osteopathic profession. As the 2016where she was instrumental in organizing and executing 2017 President of the Campbell Chapter of the Student a multi-day event hosting more than 100 incoming Osteopathic Surgical Association (SOSA), Kara led the medical students. She has served as a teaching assistant chapter in hosting numerous educational opportunities for anatomy, OMM and ultrasound. throughout the year including mock anatomy practicals and suturing skills labs. “All of these roles require good communication and long hours working with faculty members and students,” She served as the resident student organization said committee chair Dr. Bonnie Brenseke. “The faculty Graduate Medical Education Chair for the American and students who nominated Kara affirm she is one College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians (ACOEP)
20 2020 ANNUAL REPORT
