In a reflection of the collaborative spirit and focus on community among the Class of 2021, we are pleased to announce that this year’s student address will be given by five members of the graduating class.  

As the oldest of six children, Yanet Camarena learned the responsibility and privilege of caring for others early on in life. She remembers one defining moment when she was 10 years old and her youngest brother—age 7 at the time—was injured after being struck by a vehicle not far from their home in Watonga, OK.

His father is an ophthalmologist and Brown pursued his own research mapping out visual pathways during college at the University of Connecticut.

Melody Santos has never been a “jumper,” as she puts it—the type of person who can’t contain their excitement after hearing good news. The exception, of course, was when she found out she matched into her first-choice residency program. 

What does it mean to be named a chief resident?

“I remember texting my girlfriend, ‘I think I’ve fallen in love with a new specialty,’” says Dr. Akadiri, a Class of 2020 AUC graduate. 

Class of 2020 graduate Carol Monis is no stranger to new places. Before starting medical school, she had lived in five countries—India, Nigeria, England, Canada, and the United States—and has since added Sint Maarten and Vietnam to the list. But Dr.

Dr. Katta and Dr. Abraham successfully couples matched into their first-choice residency program: categorical general surgery at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital in Youngstown, OH.