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.

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