ATSU-SOMA student receives award from Alaska Native corporation
Posted: October 15, 2015
Megan Aspelund, OMS II, ATSU School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA), was honored with the Bristol Bay Native Corporation’s (BBNC) Student of the Year Award on Oct. 3 at the 2015 BBNC Shareholder meeting in Naknek, Alaska. The mission of BBNC is to enrich the lives of Native people through economic development, employment and educational opportunities, and responsible resource management.
Aspelund is currently doing her clinical rotation at the Adams County Medical Center through HealthSource Community Health Center in Mt. Orab, Ohio, one of 12 ATSU-SOMA community partnership campuses nationwide.
Aspelund grew up in Naknek, where she was inspired to become a doctor and serve the Alaska Native community. Her passion is to work with the Elders and young individuals in her community and serve as a role model and mentor. Aspelund’s father, who was present at the award ceremony and is currently a member of the BBNC Board, was also a major influence on her decision to serve others.
“My father has always been a great role model for me and helped demonstrate how an Alaska Native can become a positive influence within their community and be an advocate for the health and success of all Alaska Natives,” said Aspelund.
On being honored with the Student of the Year award Aspelund said, “It was a great honor to be recognized for the diligence and tenacity I have to pursue my passion to serve the Alaska underserved population as a physician.” “The award had an even greater impact on me because I received the award while standing in the very same village where my passion to become a physician originated. I could not be where I am today without the care and direction of so many people who continue to take their time to invest into my future.”
“Megan is definitely an excellent example of a student who meets the ATSU-SOMA mission,” says Ray Pavlick, PhD, associate dean of pre-clinical education and professor of physiology, ATSU-SOMA.
