School’s TMA/AMA chapter named
best in nation

By Darla Brown

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The Medical School’s American Medical Association Chapter was named Chapter of the Year by the American Medical Association at its recent annual meeting in Chicago.

From left, first row: Felicity Kelly (AMA delegate), Brittny Burkhalter (president), Top row: Nathan Wright (alternate AMA delegate), Justin Jordan (delegate co-leader), Spencer Pruitt (past president), Wayne Lindstrom, and Sarah Deverman (external vice president) take home the title of best student AMA chapter.

“This is an unbelievable honor, and we would like to thank our amazing past leaders, officers, and student members who have dedicated their time and effort to making our chapter the best in the nation,” says Brittny Burkhalter, president, UT-Houston AMA/TMA. “Although so many contributed to our chapter winning the award, I would like to congratulate our immediate past President, Spencer Pruitt. His hard work and dedication over the past year is what made this award possible.”

In addition to the group award, third-year medical student Pruitt, was named the new chair of AMA Region 3 and received the Leadership Excellence Award. Chirag Patel, fourth-year M.D./Ph.D. student, received the J. James Rohack, MD, Chair’s Citation for Exemplary Service.

“I am so proud of these students’ incredible accomplishments,” says Judianne Kellaway, M.D., assistant dean for admissions. “They will be great physician leaders.”

Burkhalter, a second-year student, says she was surprised to hear the news of the chapter’s national win. “I am also very proud of Spencer Pruitt and Felicity Kelly because they actually took the time to apply for this award in the midst of studying for the USMLE Step 1,” she adds.

I am so proud of these students’ incredible accomplishments. They will be great physician leaders.
– Dr. Judianne Kellaway

The Medical School’s chapter of the AMA, comprised of more than 600 students, has the most representation of any chapter on committees, boards, and councils at the state and national level.

“Our organization has so many goals, which is amazing because there is room for so many students to become involved and truly make a difference. The current priority of the American Medical Association is the Cover the Uninsured Campaign,” Burkhalter says. “I am particularly proud of the Business in Medicine lecture series that began this year. Every school should have an optional course like this for their students because it is so very important to learn this aspect of our profession.”