Leader Spotlight: Jamilah Alhashidi
Today’s spotlight is AMSA member and leader Jamilah Alhashidi! Jamilah is a medical student at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine.
How have you been involved with AMSA?
During my first year of medical school, I served as the Global Health Chair at our school’s AMSA chapter. As a second-year medical student, I became the Vice President of our AMSA chapter, as well as continued to oversee the Global Health programming. Additionally, I spearheaded the start of the Disability Awareness Committee.
Why did you join AMSA?
I joined AMSA because I wanted to be a part of an organization that valued students and where I could make a difference while connecting with students from across the nation. I started off joining our local AMSA chapter at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine (OUWB) and was very impressed with the programming that the chapter hosted and how they were in line with the values of AMSA nationally. I realized there were great programming and initiatives AMSA students were doing across the nation and I wanted to be a part of that. I joined AMSA because it gave me the opportunity to utilize my creativity and passion for community involvement while building new connections and friendships with students.
Why did you become an AMSA leader?
I decided to become an AMSA leader because I wanted to have a very active role within the organization and work with other student leaders that were passionate about student programming and advocacy. As a student leader, I can help implement new programming and listen to the ideas and feedback from student members to help make this an organization that represents the interests of not only the communities we serve, but our student members. AMSA is the very heart of student advocacy and I just wanted to make sure I had an active role in the change that students are making.
What is your favorite AMSA moment?
I have had so many great memories with AMSA thus far and I would say one of my favorites was attending the 2017 Annual Convention and being able to meet so many enthusiastic student leaders from around the world. Specifically, I had a lot of fun being involved in the resolutions voting process and learning about all the great resolutions students wrote and are clearly passionate about. Being able to take part in that session as my school’s delegate and hearing the great discussions that were facilitated for each resolution was one of my favorite moments.
What advice would you give to current & future AMSA leaders?
The best advice I can give to current and future AMSA leaders is to have fun in your leadership role! Continue to do the great community and advocacy work you are passionate about, and remember that you now have the entire AMSA family to offer support!
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.
