Medical student recognized as an AMA Rising Star

Congratulations to second-year medical student Zarah (Khushbakht) Shah, who was recognized as an AMA Rising Star at the Interim Meeting of the American Medical Association in November.

The AMA Rising Star award is presented to an individual in each of seven AMA-Medical Student Section regions who has shown promise and a demonstrated commitment to continued involvement in the AMA-MSS.

Shah received the award for Region 5, which consists of medical schools in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia.

“I am incredibly honored to have received this award,” Shah shared. “As a medical student, you're constantly told that you are at the bottom of the totem pole. I've always had an interest in social justice and advocacy, but I never felt like I had the means to make a positive change. When I discovered the AMA-MSS during my first year, I was surprised to see the amount of power and influence that medical students can have despite being in the early stages of their training.”

She also had some advice for other medical students.

“I encourage anyone who has an interest in advocacy to get involved in the AMA/OSMA [Ohio State Medical Association]. There are so many opportunities for medical students to use their voice and advocate for a more equitable health care system,” she said. “I look forward to continuing my involvement and representing NEOMED at the regional and national levels.”