At the Board of Medicine meeting in Jacksonville on February 1st, 2013, Chairman Dr. Zachariah P. Zachariah presented two medical students with the Chairman’s Recognition Award for exemplifying the professionalism, moral character, compassion, and intellect essential to the future leaders of the medical profession. Lauren Menke Lee, a fourth year medical student at the University of Florida, graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Cell Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Mrs. Lee is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, Chapman Chapter Gold Humanism Honor Society, American Medical Association, and received the Excellence in Psychiatry Clerkship Award. She is also a Commissioned Officer in the US Air Force Reserve at the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. Mrs. Lee thanked the Board for honoring her, stating that it’s “things like this that encourage me to keep doing what I’m doing. It reminds me of why I’m doing what I’m doing and it pushes me to keep going.
The Board also recognized Austin Henkel, a fourth year medical student at The Florida State University College of Medicine. Mr. Henkel served as Class President for each of his four years in medical school. In addition, he served as the Class of 2013 representative for the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, which helped the College of Medicine receive the full 8-year reaccreditation. He was also one of the founding members of the Medical Student Council Representative of the Ophthalmology Interest Group, is an active member of the Christian Medical Association, and a selected member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society. During his first year of medical school, Mr. Henkel received the Best Representation of FSU COM in the Community Award and was asked to speak at FSU COM Grand Rounds to give insight into the student experience at FSU COM during the 10th anniversary celebration series. Mr. Henkel participated in clinical research with Dr. Maitland, a neuro-ophthalmologist on faculty at FSU, during the summer between his first and second years of medical school.
