For demonstrating compassion and advocacy in aiding a homeless individual during a recent cold snap, Natasha Ram, a student in the MD/PhD program in the 国产短视频Health Morsani College of Medicine and director of the 国产短视频Health Tampa Bay Street Medicine Continuity Clinic, has been awarded a 国产短视频Health Culture Coin from Charles Lockwood, MD, dean of 国产短视频Health and executive vice president of 国产短视频Health.
鈥淭his is the heart of what we do. It is a privilege to be able to celebrate Natasha鈥檚 actions by awarding her with a 国产短视频Health Culture Coin鈥� Dr. Lockwood said.
(l-r) Natasha Ram is surprised by the apperance of Dr. Charles Lockwood, Dr. Lynette Menezes and Dr. Gopal Thinakaran shortly before Ram received a Culture Coin.
The Street Medicine Continuity Clinic was holding its Saturday morning clinic at the Tampa Hope Shelter of Catholic Charities when a Spanish-speaking man arrived seeking a place to escape the cold. Unfortunately, the shelter accepts unhoused individuals only on Tuesdays and Thursdays and had no extra occupancy. With assistance from her advisor, Lynette Menezes, PhD, Natasha persuaded the shelter to provide the man with a tent so he would have some protection from the elements. Her efforts brought tears of joy to all involved.
Natasha Ram (left) and Dr. Kira Zwygart share a laugh after Ram was recognized with a Culture Coin.
鈥淪he has the biggest heart,鈥� said Dr. Menezes, who nominated Ram for the Culture Coin.
Kira Zwygart, MD, associate dean for MCOM鈥檚 Office of Student Affairs, added, 鈥淣atasha is a gem and is very deserving鈥攏ot just for this particular action but also for her consistent care for our homeless community.鈥�
鈥淚n addition to being a compassionate clinician in training, Natasha is an amazing young researcher in the lab,鈥� said Gopal Thinakaran, PhD, the CEO of the Byrd Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute and professor in the Department of Molecular Medicine. 鈥淪he is certainly a rising star. I鈥檓 fortunate to be her research mentor.鈥�
After being awarded the Culture Coin, Natasha described the experience as 鈥渁bsolutely surreal.鈥濃�淭o have people in my corner recognizing the hard work I鈥檓 doing, it makes me feel so special,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 do everything because I鈥檓 so passionate for my research and my patients.鈥�