Read about AMSA Chapter President Mary Ella Wood’s passion for Global Health and advice for future medical students.
OMS 2 – Class of 2019
Focus: Emergency Medicine, Global Health
Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
When did you join AMSA?
2015
AMSA Leadership Experience
ACOM-AMSA President
Global Health Scholars Program Participant
Why did you join AMSA?
AMSA is a unique organization that empowers medical students to start making a difference now. I joined AMSA so that I could get involved in medical legislation and advocating for global health projects that I feel are important.
Why did you become an AMSA leader?
While being a member opened up a lot of doors for me, I felt that I could do a lot more as a national leader. I love working with other passionate people to advocate for something that we all feel strongly about.
Tell us about a favorite AMSA moment.
This past AMSA National Convention, I was able to present my poster that I created for the AMSA Global Health Scholars Program. It was so awesome to explain my vision for setting up a refugee camp to provide psychological first aid to pediatric Syrian refugees. I was able to learn a lot from fellow medical students and doctors who have experience in global health.
What advice would you give to current & future AMSA leaders?
Don’t be afraid to talk to people and ask questions. Being a medical student can be scary because it feels like everyone around you is incredibly intelligent. They are, but so are you! Talk to people, ask questions, and work together to make a difference in the medical field.
