Santana and Sisroe recognized by ACP

Eric Santana

Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership students Eric Santana and Talia Sisroe were recognized by the American College of Physicians (ACP) during the 2023 Georgia Chapter Annual Scientific Meeting on Saturday, October 7 in Savannah.

Santana and Sisroe received the Outstanding Medical Student in Volunteerism & Advocacy Award for their work in bringing the Young Physicians Initiative (YPI) to the Medical Partnership.

YPI’s purpose is to provide mentorship and networking for middle school, high school, and undergraduate students through cases and sessions led by medical students. The Medical Partnership’s chapter of YPI was founded in the fall of 2021 with the hopes of bridging the gaps in accessibility and encouraging students from underrepresented minority groups to pursue medicine.

“I chose to start the YPI at the Medical Partnership to spread mentorship to the Athens community in hopes that it will inspire young students to enjoy learning, demystify healthcare and the path to medicine, and show them that being a doctor is possible no matter your background,” said Santana.

Talia Sisroe

The Medical Partnership’s YPI chapter focuses on mentorship with the Athens Community Career Academy to provide opportunities for high school students to work on cases with medical students.

“I really feel honored to receive this award because advocacy and outreach are very important to me,” said Sisroe. “It has been nothing short of amazing to watch the high school students learn and grow with their aspirations growing until eventually over half of them wanted to be physicians.”

Both Santana and Sisroe hope that this award is just the start for YPI.

“It is very humbling to receive this recognition for the YPI, and I hope with this recognition, we can garner more awareness and establish more long-term sustainable mentorship programs in more communities that would benefit,” said Santana. “This award is a warm reassurance, and it leaves me more motivated than ever to continue to expand our local YPI chapter.”