Med school students receive 2019 Community Impact Award

Six students at the School of Medicine are among the 35 winners of the 2019 Community Impact Award from the Stanford Alumni Association.

The award recognizes students who have enhanced the Stanford community through exemplary leadership, creation of an event or program, or other significant campus contribution. 

Students were nominated by Stanford faculty, staff and senior administrators.

The recipients in the School of Medicine are:

Melodyanne Cheng, a student in the master of laboratory animal science program, who was recognized for her efforts as a proactive community-builder for current and prospective students and alumni of the program; for her public health advocacy work in low-income and migrant communities; and for her leadership in Dancebreak, a weekly social dance event that provides a creative outlet for the graduate student community.

Amy Fan, a graduate student in immunology, who was recognized for her leadership in the Biomedical Association for the Interest of Minority Students and dedication to supporting fellow students of color and affinity groups through mentorship, and her efforts to bring together individuals and groups who share a common mission.

Timothy Keyes, a medical student and graduate student in cancer biology, who was recognized for leading the school’s health equity, diversity and inclusion activities; serving as co-chair of the Stanford Minority Medical Alliance; organizing the dean’s first town hall on LGBTQ+ affairs; and helping to develop Stanford Medicine’s first  LGBTQ+ forum to celebrate visibility.

Jessica Ribado, a graduate student in genetics, who was awarded for leadership of the Stanford Science Policy Group and the Stanford Summer Research program, and for the creation of an outreach program for local middle schoolers.

Rosa Yu, a medical student, who was recognized for contributing to the creation of the School of Medicine’s Diversity Center for Representation and Equity, which aims to strengthen support and understanding of issues faced by students from traditionally marginalized groups; planning programming to address the mental health of medical students and graduate students; and mentoring first-generation, low-income students interested in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Bright Zhou, a medical student, who was recognized for leadership in the Asian Pacific American Medical Students Association; efforts to highlight disparities in health care for Asian American and LGBTQ+ patients; and outreach to the Asian American and LGBTQ+ communities through free-clinic and community center interventions.