Please helps us welcome our three new student representatives! These students will be participating in VCMS activities throughout the year - we're thrilled to have them aboard. 

Anna Hayward                         Joseph Rudy                            Jacquelyn Kennedy

Anna S Hayward, Med Student, CLASS OF 2022

Anna graduated from Florida State University in three years, earning her Bachelor of Science in biochemistry. Born and raised in Florida, Anna is passionate about the environment and Florida’s beautiful waterways. This led her to conduct research under Dr. Angela Knapp in the chemical oceanography department throughout her undergrad years. Anna was also awarded the FSU Idea Grant for her work on "K. Brevis Blooms Leading to Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico." Related to this research, Anna co-wrote “Chemical Oceanography of the Gulf of Mexico,” a textbook to be published in 2018. While conducting research, Anna also took part in multiple volunteer organizations, including Big Bend Hospice. After graduation, Anna worked in a local OB-GYN office. In her free time, she loves to exercise, paint and travel. Anna chose FSU because the patient-centered mission statement aligns with what she considers to be some of the most important parts of medicine. She is thrilled to explore the opportunities available through the College of Medicine.

Joseph T Rudy, Med Student, CLASS OF 2022

Joseph graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences and a minor in disabilities in society. At UF, one of his most influential healthcare experiences was volunteering with Footprints, a student-run volunteer program that serves the patient population in the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit at UF Health Shands. Through Footprints, he helped host bone marrow drives on campus and volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House. Joseph volunteered at a local school for students with special needs, worked at a school for children with autism spectrum disorders and performed research under Dr. Mark Lewis studying restricted, repetitive behaviors in autism. Joseph was an active member of the UF Club Tennis Team and served as president and vice president. Combining his interest in tennis and experience with special needs, he was a volunteer tennis coach for the Special Olympics in Alachua County. After graduation, Joseph worked at a nonprofit for underserved and atrisk youth. Additionally, he worked as an internal medicine and cardiology scribe for the UF Health Department of Medicine and as an assistant tennis professional. Joseph is excited to attend the FSU College of Medicine because he is a firm believer in FSU's patient-centered approach and focus on serving individuals and communities that need it the most.

Jacquelyn T Kennedy, Med Student, CLASS OF 2022

Jacquelyn graduated from Florida State University with two bachelor’s degrees, one in exercise physiology and the other in sociology. During her undergraduate career, she was certified as a medical assistant and first responder. She also volunteered with various organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, the FSU Medical Response Unit, and Camp Boggy Creek. In 2016, Jacquelyn served as the event coordinator for FSU’s Habitat for Humanity. While attending FSU, she was initiated into the Alpha Epsilon Delta Honor Society. She also participated in undergraduate research, studying the epigenetic regulation of endogenous and transgenic loci in maize. Jacquelyn chose the FSU College of Medicine because of its dedication to patient-centered care.