AMM is hosting two Kenan Urban Scholars from the UNC School of Medicine this summer. The Kenan Urban Scholars are a group of medical students who provide targeted care for marginalized populations by addressing the specific needs of the community. For six weeks, these students will learn more about Raleigh’s most vulnerable populations and how to provide quality medical care to them.

Ruby is a second-year medical student at the UNC School of Medicine. During her time, she has been shadowing Dr. Thakur and taking a deeper look into which AMM patients have gone to the Emergency Department (ED) in the last three months and the reason for their visit. Ruby’s project is intended to help AMM identify any patterns in ED usage and determine if there is anything that AMM can do to help prevent further ED visits and ED overuse.

“It’s not just looking at physical illness, it’s looking at the holistic picture, and thinking about people within their own context.” ~Ruby

Ruby has always known that she wanted to help people when she got older, and after graduating college she went to work at a Federally Qualified Health Center where she learned about holistic healthcare. After she graduates, Ruby hopes to continue in Primary Care and Family Medicine. “I really value primary care for the fact that the provider gets to build these long-term relationships with patients. I’ve worked with some other primary care providers before, and it’s just really heartwarming.”