Graduate Student Follows
Muse to Medical School
Student will receive award honoring those
in the Health Professions Program who have demonstrated outstanding
academic performance and community service.
May 25, 2005 :: No. 219
Amy Svicarovich always knew that she
wanted a career in medicine but as an undergraduate, she talked
herself out of it and switched to business, earning a bachelor’s
degree in commerce at the University of Virginia.
For four years she was a software consultant,
but “I never stopped wanting to be a doctor,”
said the Santa Ana resident, who became involved in research
as a volunteer at UC Irvine to see if medicine really was
the career she wanted.
That experience prompted Svicarovich to enroll
as a postbaccalaureate student at Cal State Fullerton. Over
the last three years, she has completed 70 units of science
courses and maintained a 4.0 grade-point average. Her efforts
have earned her admittance to UCI’s School of Medicine,
where she will begin her studies this fall.
Friday, May 27, she will be honored by Cal
State Fullerton as co-recipient of the Miles D. McCarthy Health
Professions Award during the university’s annual Honors
Convocation.
The annual award recognizes those from the
Health Professions Program who have demonstrated outstanding
academic performance and community service. It is named after
the late Miles D. McCarthy, a founding member of the faculty
who developed the successful program that continues to see
more than 80 percent of its participating students admitted
to the nation’s health professions schools.
In addition to her studies at CSUF, Svicarovich
has served as an officer with the Student Health Professions
Association and was an organizing SHPA participant in the
USC Norris Breast Cancer Research Walk.
She has planned and conducted two blood drives
on campus and been instrumental in the development of the
Health Professions website, noted David Drath, health professions
coordinator and professor of biological science.
Svicarovich also has volunteered with Community
Outreach for Prevention and Education and Hoag Hospital’s
Clinical Care Extender Program.
Co-recipient of the 2005 Miles D. McCarthy
Health Professions Award is Reuben Paul of Yorba Linda. A
former President’s Scholar who graduated summa cum laude
in 2004, Paul also is headed for medical school in the fall.
In addition to his record of academic excellence,
the graduate has been working with First Presbyterian Church
of Hollywood in outreach to the homeless and regularly travels
to Mexico, where he helps orphan children. He has traveled
overseas for other charitable efforts, including to Poland
to help build a church and to Belize to work in a primary
school. A certified emergency medical technician, he has spent
several years at West Anaheim Medical Center volunteering
in the emergency room.
Media Contact: |
Pamela McLaren of Public Affairs at
657-278-4852 or pmclaren@fullerton.edu |
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