UMHS student Gabriella Reyes was recently honored with the scholarship award through the Haffizulla Family Scholarship Fund for her work with the UMHS chapter of AMWA (American Medical Women's Association). The Haffizulla Family Scholarship Fund was the brainchild of 2014-15 AMWA President Dr. Farzana Haffizulla while she was on the executive board of the organization. The AMWA website says the scholarship is “meant to perpetuate the involvement of young leaders in disease prevention and national health and wellness.” Dr. Haffizulla founded AMWA’s Preventive Medicine Task Force for the promotion of “nationwide health, fitness and wellness.”
A total of two scholarships, each for $1,000, are awarded by Dr. Haffizulla (or her designee) during the annual AMWA awards luncheon at the meeting each year. To be eligible, recipients must be actively involved in the student division of AMWA for two years and be a member in good standing. UMHS student Gabriella Reyes was the well-deserving recipient of one of the scholarships (awarded for the first time this year) for her dedicated work with AMWA at UMHS.
The UMHS Endeavour spoke to Ms. Reyes about her trip to the AMWA National Conference in Miami, what being awarded the inaugural scholarship means to her and why she is so passionate about Preventative Medicine.
UMHS Endeavour: Congratulations on receiving the scholarship award through the Haffizulla Scholarship Fund. Tell us a little about what receiving this means to you and what happened at the national conference in Miami this spring.
Gabriella Reyes: Thank you. I'm honored and excited to be the inaugural recipient of the Haffizulla Family Scholarship Fund. It means a lot to me to be receiving this award because it recognizes my leadership in AMWA (American Medical Women's Association), and acknowledges my passion for Preventative Medicine. Along with a generous scholarship form Dr. Haffizulla, I will also be given the opportunity to serve as a student co-chair of AMWA's Preventative Medicine Task Force. Dr. Haffizulla presented the award to me at the Awards Luncheon at the 101st AMWA Conference in Miami. The conference was chock full of influential speakers, inspiring physicians, and amazing networking opportunities among students and professionals. You can find out more about the individual speakers and events here: https://www.amwa-doc.org/amwa101/
Gabriella Reyes at a 2015 event in St. Kitts. Photo: Courtesy of Gabriella Reyes
You and your colleagues started the first UMHS chapter of the American Medical Women’s Association in 2014. Dr. Doherty said AMWA has been one of the most active organizations on campus. I know we’ve published many posts in the UMHS Endeavour about the great work you and the students have accomplished, from Breast Cancer Awareness to the AMWA Clinical Study Lecture Series and more. Why do you think AMWA is important not only for UMHS students but medical students in general?
AMWA's mission is to be "an organization which functions at the local, national, and international level to advance women in medicine and improve women’s health. We achieve this by providing and developing leadership, advocacy, education, expertise, mentoring, and strategic alliances." Although many U.S. medical school classes are comprised equally of men and women, there is still an under representation of women physicians in medicine. That being said, it is important for us to lift one another up, support one another, and educate each other on the various issues facing women in medicine today. AMWA is also dedicated to increasing awareness of women's health issues within the U.S. and around the globe. Relative to other professional organizations, AMWA is on the smaller scale, which allows for more student-physician mentorship and networking opportunities, more leadership opportunities, and more chances to apply for scholarships and grants within AMWA.
The Haffizulla Scholarship Fund focuses on Preventative Medicine and you’ve said you’re really passionate about it. Why do you think Preventative Medicine is so vital?
It is not enough to only treat disease, we must take an active role in preventing disease. In westernized nations, we rely too much on treating our patients with a slew of medications and surgical procedures. However, I think we need to take more preventative measures and teach out patients about how various diet and lifestyle changes can have great benefit toward one's health. I completed my preceptorship while in Maine with, Dr. Stephen Donolley, a pediatrician who practices integrative medicine. He opened my eyes to this field of medicine that combines traditional Western medicine with more alternative approaches, including herbal remedies for common colds to ADHD, breathing techniques for anxiety, and many other interesting methods. I hope to be part of the next generation of physicians who focus on overall health and wellness to prevent illness, and care for the mind and body of our patients. There are more and more residency programs being added every year for those interested in preventative, integrative, and functional medicine. I encourage anyone interested to research these growing fields of medicine (Please visit http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02054/Andrew-Weil-Integrative-Medicine.html).
You presently serve as the Student Branches Region 5 Director since last April. Can you tell us about your duties in this role?
It has been a great experience serving as the Region 5 Director this past year. Region 5 spans all branches in Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Caribbean. As regional director, I served as each local branch's point of contact and liaison to AMWA national. It was my job to guide them in creating new branches, recruiting new members, planning events, and aiding them with any other concerns they might have had. Serving as regional director also afforded me the opportunity to work closely with other national student leaders, as well as resident and physician members. Overall, it was a great experience.
What are some other important things about AMWA people should know?
AMWA is an amazing organization for students, residents, and physicians. AMWA members are not just women -- we have many male members who are extremely supportive. There are so many opportunities to network, serve in various leadership positions, and work on the many important AMWA initiatives. I encourage anyone interested in getting involved to check out the various initiatives here by clicking this part of the AMWA website. Contact your local and national AMWA leaders to find out more information about this awesome organization.
Is there anything else you’d like to add that we haven’t covered?
I am currently serving at the student chair of the AMWA Diversity and Inclusion Committee. I work with many physician and student members on various projects. You can find out more about the D & I committee, and our subcommittees by clicking here.
(Top photo) UMHS STUDENT HONORED AT AMWA CONFERENCE IN MIAMI: (left to right) 2014/15 AMWA President Dr. Farzana Haffizulla presents scholarship to UMHS student Gabriella Reyes. Photo: Courtesy of Gabriella Reyes
About UMHS:
Built in the tradition of the best U.S. universities, the University of Medicine and Health Sciencesfocuses on individual student attention, maintaining small class sizes and recruiting high-quality faculty. We call this unique approach, “personalized medical education,” and it’s what has led to our unprecedented 96% student retention rate, and outstanding residency placements across the U.S. and Canada. UMHS is challenging everything you thought you knew about Caribbean medical schools.
Scott is Director of Digital Content & Alumni Communications Liaison at UMHS and editor of the UMHS Endeavour blog. When he's not writing about UMHS students, faculty, events, public health, alumni and UMHS research, he writes and edits Broadway theater reviews for a website he publishes in New York City, StageZine.com.
