Our Research
Not only did the students benefit from this experience, but so did the physicians who mentored them— and some of the outcomes were surprising.
“ Something unexpected for me was to simply see how curious our medical students are. It was refreshing,” Quiñones-Hinojosa said.“ After you’ ve been practicing and running a laboratory for so many years like me, and after having left Hopkins where I had a lot of medical students in my laboratory, I had forgotten that feeling that anybody can have when they are mentored, and you see in their eyes those moments of‘ Ahh! I discovered something— I’ m going to give someone hope.’ And it was surprising for me to be reminded of that amazing feeling.”
Shufelt.“ I now realize I want to pursue research in the future. My project at Mayo focused on women’ s health and I learned about the limited research there is in some women’ s health topics and issues and that there is more to be done in that area. I am grateful for FSU and the partnership with the Mayo Clinic to allow students like us to participate in these experiences. They are invaluable to our training.”
No one can speak better about the impact the College of Medicine has on young minds than Toskich. A proud alumnus of the college, he has been involved in supporting his alma mater for quite some time. Earlier this year, he was instrumental in forging a partnership between Mayo Clinic in Florida and the college, culminating with Mayo donating a liver scanner to FSU PrimaryHealth™ in Tallahassee. Acting on an opportunity to build even stronger relationships, he quickly volunteered to be a mentor.
“ Our group values insights from all levels of experience and enjoys sharing opportunities with early-career, inquisitive minds,” Toskich said.“ It never ceases to amaze us as to how brilliant, thoughtful and hard-working our research trainees are. Their dedication inspires tremendous optimism for the future of medicine.”
Kamelia Klejc
For Kamelia Klejc, a second-year medical student who grew up in Jacksonville, the research program opened her eyes to a broader view of what it means to be a physician and most likely changed her professional trajectory.
“ It showed me that being a physician will allow me to not only see patients, but also have an impact in the research setting,” said Klejc, who was mentored by
As for Quiñones-Hinojosa, who championed this program from the beginning, he feels this is just a start.
“ Let’ s continue to build bridges,” he said.“ This is an amazing program that has given us an opportunity to build relationships between these two amazing institutions. And I hope that we continue to strengthen those bridges to benefit humankind, to benefit patients, to give patients hope, to discover new cures and advance science.”
Florida State University College of Medicine
24
A REPORT TO OUR COMMUNITY