March 13, 2007

Alyce Belonis, a second-year medical student at Drexel University College of Medicine, has been named a recipient of the American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation’s 2007 Leadership Award. The award provides medical students, residents, fellows, young physicians, and international medical graduate physicians from the around the country special training to develop their skills as future leaders in organized medicine.

Ms. Belonis, one of only 15 students in the country to receive the award, was recognized by the foundation for demonstrating outstanding non-clinical leadership skills in advocacy, community service, and/or education. She has served as the legislative chair and president for Drexel University College of Medicine’s chapter of the American Medical Association and the Pennsylvania Medical Society. She has also been a member of the Drexel chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility, and is a volunteer and coordinator at Drexel’s student-run Eliza Shirley Clinic in Philadelphia, which provides health care to homeless and uninsured patients.

“I am extremely honored to receive this award alongside 14 other medical students who were all recognized for their involvement in a diverse group of activities,” Belonis said. “It’s been very rewarding to have the opportunity to become involved in the community and to make a contribution to issues that are important to our profession, both as students and as future physicians.”

Beginning in June, Belonis will serve as the AMA-Medical Student Section's liaison to the National Board of Medical Examiners’ Advisory Committee for Medical School Programs. Last summer, she participated in the AMA’s Government Relations Internship Program with an internship at the American Academy of Pediatrics. She has particular interest in health care access for underserved populations.