Kara Smith named Student DO of the Year

Campbell Medicine presented the 2019-2020 Student DO of the Year award to Kara Smith, MS-IV, at a small recognition ceremony.

Fourth-year medical student, Kara Smith, has been named the Campbell Medicine 2019 Student DO of the Year. Smith, a member of the Class of 2020 who is set to graduate on May 7, 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, MS-IV, 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.”

The Student DO of the Year Award is a national award sponsored by the Association of American Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine to recognize students at each osteopathic medical school “on the basis of their service to their college, leadership and research experiences, and dedication to the osteopathic profession.”

Dr. Chris Stewart (left) and Interim Dean Jim Powers (right) congratulate Smith for Student DO of the Year award.

At Campbell, medical students can be nominated for Student DO of the Year anonymously by fellow students, faculty and staff. The selection committee reviews the recommendations, overall experience, and personal statements for each nominee to determine the recipient.

According to the committee, some key reasons Smith was selected are her “ever-present big smile and willingness to help others.” She also served as a lead advocate for the annual Incoming Student Lake Retreat where she was instrumental in organizing and executing a multi-day event hosting more than 100 incoming medical students. She has served as a teaching assistant for anatomy, OMM and ultrasound.

“All of these roles require good communication and long hours working with faculty members and students,” said committee chair Dr. Bonnie Brenseke. “The faculty and students who nominated Kara affirm she is one 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 super bright, very talented, and has osteopathic patient-centered skills second to none at her level of training.”

Student Doctor Kara Smith at a puppy therapy student wellness event

Smith’s fellow classmates, as well as students from other classes, echoed similar praise. Kathryn Wershing, MS-IV, shared, “ … she was always there to lend a helping hand or offer a shoulder to cry on. She was your number one supporter, highest motivator, and always eager to be involved … she gave 110% to every single thing that had her name involved in it.”

Kara not only has a heart for serving others around her, but she also exemplifies strong leadership skills and passion for the osteopathic profession. As the 2016-2017 President of the Campbell Chapter of the Student Osteopathic Surgical Association (SOSA), Kara led the chapter in hosting numerous educational opportunities throughout the year including mock anatomy practicals and suturing skills labs.

"Kara Smith has had a profound impact on the Campbell community: she has relentless enthusiasm, unmatched grit, and she will surely continue to elevate those around her while doing the most for the patients who are fortunate enough to be cared for by her in the emergency department." - RYAN MACHIELE, Class of 2020 President

She currently serves as the resident student organization Graduate Medical Education Chair for the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians (ACOEP) and recently served as the primary student coordinator for the Residency Expo and Residency Speed Dating at the annual ACOEP Scientific Assembly in addition to attending the 2019 Spring Seminar and the Summer Symposium.

Smith has also been involved in the Campbell Wilderness Medicine Club serving as a facilitator in multiple Wilderness Medicine Races, attending the 2017 Southeastern Wilderness Medicine Conference in North Carolina and the 2019 Wilderness Medicine Society Summer Conference in Colorado.

Currently, she is a candidate for recognition by the Fellowship in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM) that offers recognition of providers who have fulfilled a demanding set of requirements validating their training and experience in Wilderness Medicine.

“On a clinical level, Kara’s ability to simultaneously fill many roles and juggle responsibilities will make her a powerful emergency physician,” said Ryan Machiele, MS-IV. “On a professional level, her enthusiasm for collaboration and leadership will continue to position her as a highly influential figure in the field. And on the smallest, interpersonal level, her exuberance and positivity will continue to directly change the lives of those who have the privilege of knowing her as a friend and colleague.”

Smith with her parents, Mike and Jan Smith, and her husband, Aaron Hatlevoll.

“It was an honor to be nominated, but it didn't really cross my mind that I would truly be considered – so I was shocked and amazed and very thankful,” said Smith in response to the award. “I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for everybody who sat next to me … there was more than one time in lab and other endeavors that I was supported and got to spend time truly reminding myself why we were going through [the tough journey] that we chose to put ourselves through. So to have that accomplishment justified and recognized is a real honor.”

- SARAH BOWMAN AND SHELLEY HOBBS