4 minute read
Student Spotlight
Lauren Armstrong College of Health Professions: Audiology and Speech Pathology
Lauren Armstrong’s first year of audiology school would not have been possible without her service animal, Elroy, a Golden Lab Cross, that is the first animal to help someone with hearing loss in the UTHSC program in Knoxville. “It has been a new experience, but a sweet journey so far,” said Armstrong, who was born with bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss, or hearing loss in both ears. She has been able to hear with the assistance of cochlear implants. “At first, I did not want to do audiology, but the more I became in tune with my hearing loss and this incredible field, I realized that I could make a difference,” she said. When Armstrong was accepted into the Clinical Doctorate of Audiology program at UTHSC, she knew she had to take a different path to remain independent, because her implants failed at times. She decided she needed a service dog. Armstrong said having Elroy has given her confidence. “I am completely comfortable with who I am in all environments,” she said. Armstrong looks forward to one day opening her own private practice for pediatric and geriatric patients with cochlear implants. “I am eager to help make a difference in people’s lives.”
Anna Joy Rogers College of Medicine
Fourth-year medical student Anna Joy Rogers is passionate about maternal and fetal health care. “Pregnancy and childbirth are critical times in the life of a woman,” Rogers said. “They set the stage for the health of every individual.” Under the guidance of her research adviser, Giancarlo Mari, MD, chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UTHSC, Rogers has studied the impact of maternal obesity on birth outcomes. Her prior doctoral research used qualitative, quantitative, and modeling methods to explore the implementation of policy aimed at preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV in low-resource settings. She has also examined couplerelationship dynamics on HIV-related health behaviors. Rogers received a $15,000 Scholar Award from the International Chapter of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) Sisterhood to fund her medical education and continue research in women’s health. Her interest reaches internationally through her work with mothers and babies in Kenya.
OUR STUDENTS ARE LEADERS IN THEIR FIELDS
Zachary K. Mgbemere College of Pharmacy
Zachary Mgbemere, a fourth-year Doctor of Pharmacy student, demonstrates academic excellence, professionalism, and a commitment to community service. During his time at UTHSC, Mgbemere has served as the executive chairman for the College of Pharmacy’s Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) (2019-2020), SNPhA chapter president (2018-2019), and Class of 2020 Honor Council representative (2016-2017). He is also a member of Phi Lambda Sigma, the Academy of Student Pharmacists, Phi Delta Chi, and the Black Student Association. In 2018, Mgbemere was inducted into the IMHOTEP Society in recognition of his leadership roles. He was awarded the Chancellor’s Diversity Scholarship and the Tennessee Diversity Scholarship, as well as the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 Charles R. and Henry C Shapard Scholarship. Mgbemere has participated in various service events throughout the Memphis area, including Mustard Seed Tutoring, flu shot clinics, and screenings at numerous health fairs.
Kenneth Ian Packer College of Nursing
Kenneth Ian Packer is a Doctor of Nursing Practice student in the Certified Nurse Anesthetist program in the College of Nursing, set to graduate this year. Before attending UTHSC, he had already done a four-year stint in the Navy, during which he served as a medical/surgical nurse, a critical care nurse, and an En Route Care Nurse on a V-22 Osprey for a medical evacuation team with responsibility for military hot spots in Africa. Packer’s leadership experiences helped prepare him to serve a year as the student representative to the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees. Packer said he chose the UTHSC College of Nursing because it had a great reputation. “Honestly, I looked at other schools,” he said. “Probably the biggest reason I came to UTHSC was that Memphis is really a gem of a medical city. We have a Level 1 Trauma Center here, which is one of the busiest trauma centers in the nation; St. Jude (Children’s Research Hospital) is a world-renowned research leader in oncology; you have Le Bonheur (Children’s Hospital); and the list goes on and on and on.”
UTHSC ADVISORY BOARD
The UTHSC Advisory Board held its first meeting in early 2019 in the Student Alumni-Center on the Memphis campus. Created under the UT FOCUS Act passed by the General Assembly in 2018, the board is composed of five public members, one faculty member, and one student member. The members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the General Assembly. We are grateful for the support of our Advisory Board and appreciate their service!
Gubernatorial Appointments
Philip Wenk, DDS, chair Lynn Massingale, MD The Honorable Mark Norris
Natalie Tate, PharmD, MBA Michael Ugwueke, PhD
