SHIVANI ARZA, M.D. AND AMBER HANNAH, M.D. RECEIVE CMS FOUNDATION’S 2023 ACCESS TO CARE AWARD, IN HONOR OF ROBIN MCDOUGALL

The Capital Medical Society Foundation awarded the 2023 Access to Care Award in Honor of Robin McDougall to Shivani Arza, M.D. and Amber Hannah, M.D. on May 19, 2023 at the Florida State College of Medicine’s Annual Awards Ceremony.

The CMS Foundation’s Access to Care Award is named for Robin McDougall, LCSW, who advocated for increased access to healthcare as the Program Coordinator of the We Care Network for 14 years. The We Care Network is the Capital Medical Society Foundation’s program championed by local medical physicians and dentists who donate medical specialty care to local low-income, uninsured patients. It is our Foundation’s mission to increase access to care.

Dr. Arza and Dr. Hannah exemplify our future. They are young physicians who will take an ongoing interest in increasing access to medical care for the underserved. We wish them both the best as they begin their residencies. Dr. Arza will be at the University of Virginia in their ObstetricsGynecology program. Dr. Hannah will be at the Emory University School of Medicine in General Surgery.

Dr. Shivani Arza was born in India and moved to the United States when she was two. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a B.S. in biomedical science and B.A. in psychology, with a minor in maternal and child health. At USF, Shivani completed her honors thesis on “Knowledge Attitudes and Beliefs of Women towards PostPartum Depression and Baby Blues.” She also did research on the effects of hostile and benevolent sexism of women in STEMM fields. She was drawn to the FSU College of Medicine because of its focus on patient-centered healthcare and responding to community needs.

Nicole G. Bentze, D.O., FAAFP, Sarasota Regional Campus Dean, Florida State University College of Medicine shared, “I have known Shivani since her arrival at the Sarasota regional campus in June 2021. Shivani has been recognized for excellence in clinical care, leadership, compassion, and dedication to service with induction into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Shivani demonstrated commitment to combating the stigma of mental illness during her time in medical school. She was the founder of two college-wide mental health initiatives including Mental Health Awareness Week and the Wellness Ambassador Program.

In both her M1 and M2 years, she organized educational and inspirational programs to highlight issues surrounding mental health issues and access to mental health services. Shivani conducted health screenings and led preventive health initiatives through her volunteer work with the Chapman Community Health Program. She also participated in the FSU Cares Immokalee Service-Learning Trip providing health screenings and community outreach.

As part of the Healthcare for All Week Planning Committee, she planned events focused on the impact being uninsured has on patients. Further, Shivani extended the Wellness Ambassador program to the regional medical campuses. She coordinated an ambassadorship at all six regional campuses to provide peer support and education during clinical rotations. Her lectures on imposter syndrome and sleep deprivation during training were very well received. She was a champion for students’ wellness and continued access to mental health services while at regional campuses.

Together with her peers, she presented a research poster on ‘Destigmatizing Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment among Florida Medical Students’ at a national level conference. As the Vice President of the Sarasota regional campus, Shivani continued her leadership training and served as the liaison between the Regional Campus Dean, staff, and her classmates. This position was vital during the COVID-19 pandemic, as Shivani advocated for student concerns, relayed information and organized student-led initiatives. She volunteered at COVID vaccine clinics. Further, Shivani participated in a Quality Improvement Project with the Sarasota Department of Health to improve utilization of the Breast Cancer Early Detection Program by women in underserved areas of the community.

Outside of clinical rotations, Shivani worked with Med Mentors and other informal mentoring programs to conduct mock medical school interviews with underserved and underrepresented undergraduate students. In summary, Shivani is an excellent student who is a strong advocate for underserved populations and exemplifies the mission of FSU COM. I appreciate your strong consideration for the Access to Care Award.”

Another nomination included, “Shivani Arza has consistently been committed to improving access to healthcare for underserved populations throughout her time at FSU COM. Shivani actively promoted health screenings and preventive health initiatives at Maryland Oaks Community through her volunteer work with the Chapman Community Health Program. She additionally played a key role in health screenings and community outreach programs at the FSU Cares Immokalee ServiceLearning Trip. Finally, as part of the Healthcare for All Week Planning Committee, Shivani organized events focused on the impact being uninsured has on patients. In her free time, Shivani did mock medical school interviews for underserved and underrepresented undergraduate students.”

Dr. Amber Hannah is a native of Quincy, Florida. Her journey to medicine started with participating in FSU’s SSTRIDE program in high school and working as a medical assistant for four years. She graduated from Florida A&M University in 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in biology. While in college, she had a passion for mentorship and minority exposure to healthcare. She created an organization, Physicians in Training, to encourage student to pursue healthcare professions and provide volunteer opportunities and mentorship. She takes a special interest in health equity, health policy, and minority and underserved medicine.

Dr. Juliette Lomax-Homier, M.D., dean of the Fort Pierce Campus describes Dr. Hannah as “the Energizer Bunny.” She shared, “She is a young woman with an agenda that extends deep into her community and connects it to this great asset called the Florida State University College of Medicine. She has experienced the good news and wants to share it with all who will listen.

Amber learned the power of community engagement as a student at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, which was further nurtured by her heavy involvement in her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Inc. Her learned enthusiasm of community led her to our College of Medicine, but she never let go of the first stepping-stone that brought her to this destination. She continues to encourage FAMU premedical students to prepare them for the rigors of medical school. As an M1 student, one of her first volunteer efforts was the Valentine’s Day CandyGram fundraiser for the Student National Medical Association, which ensures funds are available for medical student members to attend national meetings.

The Community Medicine rotation in the M3 year afforded Amber the opportunity to work alongside physicians who, in addition to providing medical care to the uninsured, were designing a mobile clinic to service areas that were health-care deserts. At the Hands Clinic here in St. Lucie County, she was able to experience the challenges and opportunities of providing health care in under-served areas using volunteer health-care providers. Her active engagement allowed her to offer suggestions on how to incorporate medical students in this endeavor.”