Medical student speaks at Ohio Statehouse

Kara Yutzy Callahan, a third-year Boonshoft School of Medicine student, spoke at the Choose Ohio First 2017 Scholar Showcase.

A Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine student spoke at the Choose Ohio First 2017 Scholar Showcase on April 17 at the Ohio Statehouse Atrium in Columbus about her journey to medical school.

Kara Yutzy Callahan, a third-year medical student, received a $30,000 Primary Care Medical Student Choose Ohio First Scholarship for the 2016–2017 academic year. She was one of four Boonshoft School of Medicine students who received the scholarship this academic year.

Scholarship recipients must be Ohio residents. They must show a commitment to community service. They also must commit to a residency in family medicine, primary care internal medicine, primary care pediatrics or geriatrics. After completing the residency, each recipient must agree to practice full time in Ohio for at least three years in primary care (family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics or geriatrics). As primary care physicians, they must serve Medicaid patients.

As a recipient of the scholarship Callahan was asked to speak at the event, a celebration of the Choose Ohio First initiative, which is in its ninth year. Students can receive Choose Ohio First scholarships for their studies in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM). Last year, the Choose Ohio First scholarship program allocated more than $16 million in aid for students enrolled in STEMM studies at Ohio public and private universities. To date, almost $110 million in scholarships has been awarded to Choose Ohio First scholars.

The event featured a poster presentation and several speakers, including John Carey, chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education; Stephanie Davidson, vice chancellor of academic affairs for the Ohio Department of Higher Education; and Jon Husted, Ohio secretary of state.

Kara Yutzy Callahan with John Carey, chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education, at the Choose Ohio First 2017 Scholar Showcase.

Callahan also spoke, bringing a student’s perspective to the event.

“I spoke about my journey to medical school, and how I feel God has called me to serve as a physician in underserved areas,” Callahan said. “I explained my passion for poverty medicine and addiction medicine. I know that my career will not be a glamorous one, but I know it will be rewarding. I challenged all the students there to choose a career that will do good for other people, because they have such potential to make an impact on others’ lives.”

She was thrilled to hear the excitement for STEMM careers from the other Choose Ohio First Scholars as they explained their research on alternative energy, soil conservation and medical advancement.

“It was truly an honor to be asked to speak at an event like that,” Callahan said. “I never expected to speak after the secretary of any state, much less Ohio’s secretary of state, and much less while I was still a medical student.”