06/05/2023

Meet OSMA Foundation Summer Scholar, Elizabeth Abrams

Developing the next generation of physicians!

The OSMA Foundation's Summer Scholars program provides stipends for medical students to pursue summer opportunities in research, community health, health advocacy and medical education programs.

Elizabeth Abrams

Summer Internship Program:
My summer internship is a research project through Ohio State University College of Medicine, with the Department of Emergency Medicine.

Medical School and Year:
The Ohio State College of Medicine, rising 2^nd year

Undergraduate School:
University of Dayton

Hometown:
Johnston, Iowa

How did you hear about the OSMA Foundation Summer Scholars stipend opportunity?
I was involved with the OSMA MSS this year and co-authored a resolution related to opioid and substance use treatment. I enjoyed being engaged in advocacy and read the OSMA communications, where I learned about the Summer Scholars stipend opportunity. An OSU COM student had also been a Summer Scholar in the past, so I heard more about it through the OSMA group at school and decided to apply!

Tell us about your summer internship program. What are you working on?
I work with the OSU Emergency Medicine Population Health team to characterize prevalence of various risk factors for HIV and other diseases in emergency department settings. With the guidance of my mentor, I am learning many aspects of the research process, from IRB submission to survey development, chart review, and data analysis and presentation. This project has been a perfect intersection for my interests in clinical medicine, HIV, public health, and research.

What impact has the OSMA Foundation Summer Scholars program had on you and your medical school goals and pursuits?
This program allows me to spend this summer building knowledge in a subject area of interest, developing skills in research methods, and exploring the academic emergency medicine field. I am grateful for the opportunity to stay in Ohio this summer and am confident the learning opportunities and mentorship this program helped support will shape my training over the next several years and beyond.

What’s next for your medical career journey?
I will start my second year of medical school this fall and plan to continue working with my research team. I am excited to see where my project leads and to continue collaborating with the team on efforts to support patients living with HIV and/or substance use disorders. I also plan to stay involved with related advocacy efforts through the OSMA and AMA MSS!

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I ran my first half-marathon last weekend in Cleveland – it was a blast!