Jaibel Makiyil, biology major at NSU’s Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, has been named the National Officer of the Year by the Pre-Student Osteopathic Medicine Association (Pre-SOMA). Makiyil, who serves as president of NSU’s Pre-SOMA chapter, received the prestigious award at the Spring SOMA Convention in Washington, D.C., Mar. 13–17.
As a member of Pre-SOMA at NSU, Makiyil has organized several events and workshops, such as a suture clinic, a panel discussion on internships, a workshop on developing interview skills, an MCAT preparatory workshop, and a meeting between Pre-SOMA students and admission counselors from NSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. Makiyil was vital in the creation of the NSU Med-Student Mentor Program, and her active involvement in Pre-SOMA has led to an increased number of events offered to students at the university.
“Pre-SOMA has given me so many opportunities; I want to provide these same opportunities for others,” Makiyil said. “I believe the exposure to these opportunities will make students more comfortable and confident in their skills. With this confidence, [the students] will be able to better serve their future patients and increase the quality of healthcare.”