Like many medical students, Moe Ameri can pinpoint a defining moment when he knew that he wanted to be a doctor.
Growing up in Iraq before later moving to the United States, Moe came face-to-face with the instability plaguing the region while watching his father, a physician, care for patients wounded in bombing attacks. Seeing his father treat the sick and injured with a calm confidence made Moe realize that he was meant to pursue this same work. He spent several months roaming the hospitals of Iraq, interacting with patients, and strengthening his belief that the hospital was a safe place and “its halls made him a stronger, more hopeful person.”
Moe started at AUC School of Medicine in the fall of 2017 when Hurricane Irma struck Sint Maarten, requiring evacuation of the campus and the university’s temporary relocation to the United Kingdom. Despite being a brand-new student, Moe wasted no time in taking initiative to support his colleagues through the storm, joining the triage team and the first search and rescue squads. He continued to demonstrate leadership in the UK, where he was elected as 1st Semester Class Representative to the Medical Sciences Student Government Association (SGA), representing 231 of his classmates. In addition, he was one of four students chosen by Executive Dean Heidi Chumley to serve on the Sint Maarten Relocation Taskforce.
“Along with the input and support of other taskforce members, Moe’s ability to engage with students during this process and share their needs and concerns with leadership promoted the success of this taskforce,” said Dr. Kimberly Kirkland, Associate Dean for Student Affairs. “Moe’s attitude has always been to lead by example, letting his activism and service be the highlight of his work.”
Moe went on to become SGA Vice President and eventually President, serving two semesters. While Acting President of SGA, the chapter was reconstituted back onto the Sint Maarten campus and thrived under his leadership. Student clubs and organizations grew to more than 21 groups, with several waiting approval. An active member of the Phi Chi medical fraternity and the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), Moe has been a strong contributor to the success of student groups on campus and making AUC School of Medicine a place where students can grow and succeed.
“I was very happy and appreciative to learn that I was selected as the recipient of The Dr. Karl Stockhausen Memorial Scholarship,” said Moe. “My number one goal now would be to continue proving that I am someone worthy of this generosity, and if I can develop half the passion for medicine and helping others that Dr. Karl had, then I would truly be proud.”
