Leader Spotlight: Coco Victoria Gomez Tirambulo
Today’s spotlight is AMSA member and leader Coco Victoria Gomez Tirambulo! Coco attends Brandeis University and this is her second year serving as AMSA’s National Chair of the Wellness & Student Life Committee.
Why did you join AMSA?
I joined AMSA wanting to be a part of a community of future physicians and like-minded people who aspire to enhance and contribute to the health care field. My university did not have a chapter, but I was determined to join anyways and was warmly welcomed with open arms.
Why did you become an AMSA leader?
In October 2016, I joined AMSA’s Integrative Medicine Scholars Program interested in learning more about Integrative Medicine and Health. I enjoyed the program so much that I decided to apply for the Wellness & Student Life Programming Coordinator position with the encouragement of the AMSA Integrative Medicine Course Directors. I became an AMSA leader because it would give me the opportunity to pursue my enthusiasm for these causes. I wanted to help enact and inspire change through the delivery of knowledge and information. Being surrounded by so many people with a passion for wellness, social justice, and equity is deeply inspiring. I wanted to be a part of this community, as it is important to create programs and projects that will help disseminate information to people not only in the health care community, but also to others not directly connected to the field. It is an honor to serve our community as the Programming Coordinator for the Wellness and Student Life Action Committee.
What is your favorite AMSA moment?
My favorite AMSA moment would be doing an active listening assignment with one of peers in the AMSA Integrative Medicine Scholars Program. At first, it was very awkward meeting a person via video call, but by acknowledging the awkwardness and finding the humor in it we instantly connected. It was very refreshing to connect with a peer who has been through the pre-medical and medical school journey.
What advice would you give to current & future AMSA leaders?
My advice to current AMSA leaders would be first to thank and congratulate them for advocating for us and inspiring us to be leaders. Second, I would like remind them, although their journeys are packed with many tough and trying times, to always self-reflect and think back to what initially inspired them to pursue this route; to pause the fast-paced nature of their lives and remember what makes it all worth it in the end goes back to the people we meet and the relationships that we form.
To future AMSA leaders, I would advise them to get out there and be involved in what you love and what challenges you to be a better person. Keep trying to achieve your goals! There is still much to do in the field of medicine. At times, you might be discouraged, but keep fighting. The best thing to do is to get out there and see what you can do to be a change maker.
Do you know of an AMSA Member and Leader who deserves to be recognized? Do you want to share your leadership story with other AMSA members? Share your story for consideration! Selected leaders will be featured on AMSA’s On Call blog.
