Meet Wetzel Scholar – Tam

Name: Tam

COM: KCU – Joplin

Graduation Year: 2027

Hometown: Fenton, MO

Number of Years in the Scholar Program: 1 st year

How did you first become aware of the Wetzel Scholar Program?

• • My introduction to the Wetzel Scholar Program was during my 1st year where a then Wetzel Scholar – Hannah Newland spoke about the program to KCU-Joplin’s MAOPS chapter.

Why were you interested in becoming a Wetzel Scholar?

• • I knew I wanted to be a Wetzel Scholar immediately after I heard from Hannah about the Wetzel Scholar Program. I remember after her talk, I immediately scheduled a meeting with Dr. Nichols (MAOPS Trustee & Advisor for the Joplin campus) so I could learn more about organized medicine and MAOPS. I also
    scheduled a meeting with Hannah to talk about how I could become a Wetzel
    Scholar. Both of them spoke about how important MAOPS is when it comes to advocating for physicians. That drew me in since advocacy has always played a huge role in my life. I’ve always gravitated towards leadership positions in clubs
    and advocacy related roles, such as serving in Student Government Association.
    They also mentioned how MAOPS is the organization that supports osteopathic
    physicians in Missouri. As a lifelong Missouri resident, I already felt like I had a
    strong connection to MAOPS. I was also drawn towards the amazing opportunities for advocacy the Wetzel Scholar Program provides such as
    attending AOA’s House of Delegates and Physician Advocacy Day.

To date, what have you enjoyed the most about your Wezel Scholar experience?

• • I haven’t been a Wetzel Scholar for long, but my favorite part has been the community that the Wetzel Scholar Program and MAOPS bring. At the annual
    conference, MOAC, I experienced this sense of belonging that came from
    relaxing conversations with the other scholars and having different physicians recognize me. It’s reassuring that I will have so many friendly faces I can talk to when I attend different MAOPS events. I also helped out a lot with YPN’s podcast this past year, and I loved the collaboration with fellow students and MAOPS members. As part of the episode on mentorship I did, I got to interview Dr. Nichols and it was refreshing getting to speak with him about his early career and see how MAOPS helped him connect with various mentors.

What personal goals do you have that you believe the Scholar Program will help you
achieve?

• • Advocacy and leadership are integral to who I am, and I want to continue those as a physician. I believe the Scholar Program will help me continue to develop
    those skills, so I can be the best advocate for my fellow physicians and patients when I’m practicing. As part of the Scholar Program, I will have a physician mentor in MAOPS leadership, and I am excited to learn more about leadership
    from them. Additionally, I will get further glimpses into what physician advocacy looks like as I attend AOA House of Delegates and Physician Advocacy Day.

Tell us about a couple personal influential relationships you have developed being a part of the Scholar Program and/or being engaged with MAOPS?

• • One of the best friendships I’ve formed through MAOPS is with Sammy (fellow scholar who’s a 4 th year at ATSU)! We just clicked, and she’s been gracious
    enough to let me help her with co-producing YPN’s podcast. I love getting to talk to her and we did the scavenger hunt together at MOAC. She is super amazing, she recently won YPN’s award, and has so many great ideas. Sammy’s another
    reason why I felt so motivated to become a Wetzel Scholar. I saw all the work she was doing and the impact it was making, so I wanted to be able to achieve
    something similar. She’s pretty much a role model to me and I’m so glad I was able to meet her through MAOPS. I’m also extremely grateful to have connected with Dr. Tannehill through MAOPS. I met him during my first time attending Physician Advocacy Day last year as we share the same Representative and Senator. I really look up to him (not just because he’s about 2 feet taller than I am). I was incredibly nervous during my first Physician Advocacy Day, but he was easy to talk to and took the time to explain things to me. He really guided me through the the process of Physician Advocacy Day and showed me the best way to speak with our legislators. I’ve appreciated every conversation I’ve had with him, and enjoy getting to talk to him whenever I see him at events for MAOPS.

What has surprised you the most about MAOPS since you have become involved?

• • The most surprising thing about MAOPS since I became involved is how supportive it is. When I originally heard about organized medicine and MAOPS, I assumed it was just
    an organization with osteopathic physicians that wanted to advocate for themselves. However, once I joined I realized MAOPS is more like a family of physicians trying to look out for each other. I think one of the best parts of medical school is being
    surrounded by friends and colleagues who you immediately connect with because they
    understand exactly what you’re going through. I’m grateful to be apart of MAOPS, because it provides this community and connection for physicians who don’t necessarily get the opportunity to connect with their colleagues all the time.

Tell us something surprising/interesting about you.

• • I’m pretty musically inclined (other than singing)! I’ve been playing the piano since I was in kindergarten and can also play the guitar. I also played the oboe and flute when I was in high school. I still love to play music though as I’m in KCU’s music club/band, Notochords, and we played for our annual gala! I’m more of a classical pianist and my favorite genre to play is Romantic or Impressionistic with composers like Chopin and Debussy.