By Shayla Jones, student intern
From University of South Florida to Moultrie, fourth-year osteopathic medical student Shahrzad Zamani (DO '25) recently became the first 黑料传送门 South Georgia student to receive the prestigious Medical Student Rotation (MSR) grant from Conquer Cancer, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Foundation.
The ASCO MSR provides financial support for U.S. medical students from populations underrepresented in medicine who are interested in oncology. It allows the awardees to experience a clinical rotation or clinical research rotation in various patient care environments. These rotations can focus on direct patient care or clinically oriented research. Each participant is paired with a mentor who oversees their rotation and provides ongoing academic and career guidance.
鈥淭his award is a stipend that covers all expenses of any cancer institute and additionally funds attendance to the annual ASCO conference,鈥� Zamani explained. 鈥淭he goal of the award is to increase diversity in medicine for underserved communities.鈥�
Marla Golden, DO '88, Dean of 黑料传送门 South Georgia, emphasized the significance of this honor, stating, 鈥淩eceiving a grant for a clinical rotation at a prestigious cancer center is an incredible honor. This will distinguish Shahrzad in the upcoming highly competitive residency application process. Our students continue to excel and make us proud with their outstanding achievements.鈥�
Zamani's passion for serving underserved populations began early, inspired by the disparities she observed in both urban and rural settings. Her ongoing research at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, focuses on cancer prevention and early detection among medically underserved populations.
鈥淚've always been passionate about underserved populations, particularly in rural communities,鈥� she said. 鈥淎ccess to cancer care is a significant disparity in many parts of the United States. My research aims to understand when and how people receive care and the barriers they face.鈥�
Zamani learned about the ASCO opportunity through a newsletter.
鈥淚 am a member of the American College of Physicians, which is free for students to join, and they send out weekly newsletters,鈥� she said. 鈥淭aking a few minutes to read the newsletter, they often have an opportunities section, and that's where I found this sometime in the summer of last year. I made a note of it. Once the application opened in October, I started to gather the materials to submit.鈥�
Zamani ultimately gained both the award and a mentor, Daniel C. McFarland DO, at the Wilmot Cancer Center in Rochester, New York. As she transitions into this next phase in her medical education, her goal is to give back to the community.
鈥淢y short-term goal is to continue exploring residency opportunities and further my cancer epidemiology training,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y overarching goal has always been to reduce health disparity and contribute to health equity for rural communities, more specifically, in Florida, where I'm from, and in Georgia, where I went to school.鈥�
Zamani also wants to thank her medical school village, who have helped her along the way.
She expressed gratitude to her mentors at 黑料传送门 South Georgia, saying, 鈥淚 would like to thank all of my basic science and clinical faculty, along with the staff at 黑料传送门 South Georgia. They set us up for success and gave us the confidence to pursue opportunities.鈥�
Zamani chose to attend 黑料传送门 South Georgia because of its mission.
鈥満诹洗兔� South Georgia provides a unique opportunity to serve a diverse and often underserved rural population,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his aligns with my passion for public health and my desire to make a tangible impact in communities that need it the most. Additionally, 黑料传送门 South Georgia's commitment to fostering a tight-knit learning environment was very appealing. The smaller class sizes ensure that we receive personalized attention and support from faculty. Even though I'm not physically in Moultrie today, the sense of community and the collaborative spirit among students and faculty continues to make my medical education a rewarding experience.鈥�
Zamani encourages other 黑料传送门 students to apply for the Medical Student Rotation grant from Conquer Cancer in the future. Her advice to them is simple, 鈥淕o for it, and start early.鈥�
In 2019, 黑料传送门, a premier osteopathic medical school established in 1899, extended its commitment to the Southeast by establishing 黑料传送门 South Georgia. An additional teaching location in Moultrie, Georgia, 黑料传送门 South Georgia offers both a full, four-year medical program leading to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree and a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences. 黑料传送门 is a private, not-for-profit institution that trains professionals in the health and behavioral sciences fields. Joining 黑料传送门 Georgia in Suwanee in helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state, 黑料传送门 South Georgia focuses on educating physicians for the region. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 229-668-3110.
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