STUDENTs
Abby Fickel: AmBT, Asynchronous, & Research Project Coordinating Lead
Abby Fickel, a senior at the University of Alabama, is studying Physics and Psychology on the pre-medicine track in hopes of becoming a physician in the future. Fickel is also part of the STEM Path to the MBA within the Honors College, where she combines her passions for science and business to develop skills in innovation, collaboration, and communication. In addition, Fickel is pursuing a minor in Chinese to gain a global perspective in hopes to explore healthcare on an international level. She has been recognized academically on a national level through the National Merit Finalist award in 2019, and continues to maintain a high standard of performance, demonstrated by her place on the President’s list (4.0) in her five semesters at the University of Alabama.
Outside of the classroom, Fickel actively seeks opportunities to invest in herself and others. As an ambassador for both the Honors College and the STEM Path to the MBA program, she recruits and mentors other students. Within the STEM/CREATE Path ambassadors, Fickel serves as the lead ambassador. Additionally, Fickel holds the position of President for the Society of Physics Students. Fickel demonstrates her passion for service in several venues. As a volunteer for Druid City Hospital, she experiences healthcare from a unique perspective. Additionally, she serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for Camp Kesem at the University of Alabama, a chapter of the national organization supporting children affected by parental cancer. Fickel enjoys working with children and tutors with Bama Tutors for Service when available.
In her seven semesters in TERM, Fickel works on the AmBT and the systematic review for the asynchronous project. Within these projects, she has had the opportunity to present at multiple research conferences, develop national and international conference poster presentations, and is excited to be working towards more achievements alongside Drs. Culmer and Smith and the other members of TERM.
Abby Fickel, a senior at the University of Alabama, is studying Physics and Psychology on the pre-medicine track in hopes of becoming a physician in the future. Fickel is also part of the STEM Path to the MBA within the Honors College, where she combines her passions for science and business to develop skills in innovation, collaboration, and communication. In addition, Fickel is pursuing a minor in Chinese to gain a global perspective in hopes to explore healthcare on an international level. She has been recognized academically on a national level through the National Merit Finalist award in 2019, and continues to maintain a high standard of performance, demonstrated by her place on the President’s list (4.0) in her five semesters at the University of Alabama.
Outside of the classroom, Fickel actively seeks opportunities to invest in herself and others. As an ambassador for both the Honors College and the STEM Path to the MBA program, she recruits and mentors other students. Within the STEM/CREATE Path ambassadors, Fickel serves as the lead ambassador. Additionally, Fickel holds the position of President for the Society of Physics Students. Fickel demonstrates her passion for service in several venues. As a volunteer for Druid City Hospital, she experiences healthcare from a unique perspective. Additionally, she serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for Camp Kesem at the University of Alabama, a chapter of the national organization supporting children affected by parental cancer. Fickel enjoys working with children and tutors with Bama Tutors for Service when available.
In her seven semesters in TERM, Fickel works on the AmBT and the systematic review for the asynchronous project. Within these projects, she has had the opportunity to present at multiple research conferences, develop national and international conference poster presentations, and is excited to be working towards more achievements alongside Drs. Culmer and Smith and the other members of TERM.
Jake DiFatta: URL Project
Jake DiFatta is a senior at the University of Alabama. He is a member of the Honors College, and is a pre-medical student planning to apply to medical school for the incoming class of 2022. He is currently pursuing majors in both biology and Spanish, with the goal of becoming a fully bilingual physician. DiFatta has been recognized on the Dean’s List (semester GPA of 3.5 or higher) for all five semesters which he has attended the University of Alabama. He is also a recipient of the 2018 National Merit Commendation award.
DiFatta is passionate about helping others, with an emphasis on those in Spanish-speaking communities. One avenue through which he acts on this passion is volunteering- throughout college, he has tutored Hispanic students in a number of subjects at local elementary schools. Another way in which DiFatta gives back is through volunteering at nearby DCH Regional Hospital in the Intensive Care Unit.
Currently, Jake is part of the Technology, Education and Research in Medicine (TERM) research lab at the University of Alabama’s College of Community Health Sciences. He presently works as the student lead on a project exploring the effectiveness of undergraduate research in its many variations.
Jake DiFatta is a senior at the University of Alabama. He is a member of the Honors College, and is a pre-medical student planning to apply to medical school for the incoming class of 2022. He is currently pursuing majors in both biology and Spanish, with the goal of becoming a fully bilingual physician. DiFatta has been recognized on the Dean’s List (semester GPA of 3.5 or higher) for all five semesters which he has attended the University of Alabama. He is also a recipient of the 2018 National Merit Commendation award.
DiFatta is passionate about helping others, with an emphasis on those in Spanish-speaking communities. One avenue through which he acts on this passion is volunteering- throughout college, he has tutored Hispanic students in a number of subjects at local elementary schools. Another way in which DiFatta gives back is through volunteering at nearby DCH Regional Hospital in the Intensive Care Unit.
Currently, Jake is part of the Technology, Education and Research in Medicine (TERM) research lab at the University of Alabama’s College of Community Health Sciences. He presently works as the student lead on a project exploring the effectiveness of undergraduate research in its many variations.
Megan Cobb: Nursing Burnout
Megan Cobb is an undergraduate nursing student, currently in her fourth out of five semesters at the Capstone College of Nursing. Megan is anticipated to graduate in December 2021 with honors. During her time at the University of Alabama, Megan has earned a place on either the President’s List (4.0 GPA) or Dean’s List (3.5-4.0 GPA) every semester and has maintained her studies in the Honors College.
Outside of the classroom, Megan is actively involved in her sorority, serving as the 2020 Collegiate Chapter President. Megan is an active member of various honors societies including Order of Omega, Blue Key Honors Society, and Mortar Board. Currently, Megan volunteers her time at the local philanthropic efforts of the sorority at local retirement communities and at the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Megan works as a Student Nurse Intern for Ascension St. Vincent’s East, working at various units to ease the workload on healthcare providers.
Within TERM, Megan has been a member for upwards of three years, working with Drs. Culmer and Smith on the burnout projects since the data collection stage. She assisted in data entry and data analysis for the overall burnout project and has helped write and edit manuscripts to be submitted for publication. Now, Megan is the student lead of the nursing burnout project, a subset of the overall burnout project, exploring how burnout affects the nursing population of the University Medical Center.
Megan Cobb is an undergraduate nursing student, currently in her fourth out of five semesters at the Capstone College of Nursing. Megan is anticipated to graduate in December 2021 with honors. During her time at the University of Alabama, Megan has earned a place on either the President’s List (4.0 GPA) or Dean’s List (3.5-4.0 GPA) every semester and has maintained her studies in the Honors College.
Outside of the classroom, Megan is actively involved in her sorority, serving as the 2020 Collegiate Chapter President. Megan is an active member of various honors societies including Order of Omega, Blue Key Honors Society, and Mortar Board. Currently, Megan volunteers her time at the local philanthropic efforts of the sorority at local retirement communities and at the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Megan works as a Student Nurse Intern for Ascension St. Vincent’s East, working at various units to ease the workload on healthcare providers.
Within TERM, Megan has been a member for upwards of three years, working with Drs. Culmer and Smith on the burnout projects since the data collection stage. She assisted in data entry and data analysis for the overall burnout project and has helped write and edit manuscripts to be submitted for publication. Now, Megan is the student lead of the nursing burnout project, a subset of the overall burnout project, exploring how burnout affects the nursing population of the University Medical Center.
Merrill Bettis: Mental Health in Dentistry
Merrill Bettis is a junior at the University of Alabama. She is majoring in Chemistry and minoring in Addiction and Recovery on the pre-medical track with plans of going to medical school. She has remained on the Dean’s List (3.5-4.0 GPA) throughout her 4 semesters at the University of Alabama. Merrill has also received the Presidential Scholarship, and additionally, she currently attends the Honors College within the University of Alabama.
A love of medicine is nothing new to Merrill. Once she attended 3 medical missions trips to Mexico during ages 15, 16, and 17, Merrill was hooked. She has volunteered at DCH since Fall 2020 through COVID vaccine clinics, labs, and chemotherapy units.
Merrill is also involved in a wide variety of organizations on campus. She is a part of the Million Dollar Band Color Guard, performing at every home and postseason game. She is also on Chapter Council for sorority Alpha Gamma Delta, an Assistant Director of Academic Enrichment. Merrill is also a part of the Society of Women in Medicine, an organization that exposes females in the pursuit of medicine to a variety of speakers.
In her spare time, she watches the Bachelor, eats ice cream, and plays with her cat Sundae!
Merrill Bettis is a junior at the University of Alabama. She is majoring in Chemistry and minoring in Addiction and Recovery on the pre-medical track with plans of going to medical school. She has remained on the Dean’s List (3.5-4.0 GPA) throughout her 4 semesters at the University of Alabama. Merrill has also received the Presidential Scholarship, and additionally, she currently attends the Honors College within the University of Alabama.
A love of medicine is nothing new to Merrill. Once she attended 3 medical missions trips to Mexico during ages 15, 16, and 17, Merrill was hooked. She has volunteered at DCH since Fall 2020 through COVID vaccine clinics, labs, and chemotherapy units.
Merrill is also involved in a wide variety of organizations on campus. She is a part of the Million Dollar Band Color Guard, performing at every home and postseason game. She is also on Chapter Council for sorority Alpha Gamma Delta, an Assistant Director of Academic Enrichment. Merrill is also a part of the Society of Women in Medicine, an organization that exposes females in the pursuit of medicine to a variety of speakers.
In her spare time, she watches the Bachelor, eats ice cream, and plays with her cat Sundae!
Emma Anne McKinley: Selma
Emma Anne McKinley is a senior at the University of Alabama majoring in Biology and minoring in English on the pre-med track. She is passionate about rural health care and hopes to become a physician in a rural area in Alabama as she is currently applying to the Rural Medical Scholars Program through the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is a member of the honors college and has been on the Dean’s list or Presidents list multiple times in her undergraduate college career.
Emma Anne is very passionate about service work both inside and outside of the medical setting. During her time at UA, she has volunteered at DCH in the neurocritical care unit as well as the pre-admission testing center. She has served on a medical service trip to Costa Rica through the Foundation for the International Medical Relief for children during spring break of her sophomore year. Furthermore, she has served first as an assistant team leader her junior year, and then the team leader her senior year for an organization called Beyond Bama a division of the Center of Service and Leadership designed to bring students on service trips during the alternative breaks of the academic year.
In her almost two years with TERM, Emma Anne has consistently worked on the Selma project which seeks to understand if the presence of free clinics in Selma, AL reduces the use of local hospitalizations. She has contributed to multiple conference abstracts, posters, and a manuscript that will be published in the near future.
Emma Anne McKinley is a senior at the University of Alabama majoring in Biology and minoring in English on the pre-med track. She is passionate about rural health care and hopes to become a physician in a rural area in Alabama as she is currently applying to the Rural Medical Scholars Program through the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is a member of the honors college and has been on the Dean’s list or Presidents list multiple times in her undergraduate college career.
Emma Anne is very passionate about service work both inside and outside of the medical setting. During her time at UA, she has volunteered at DCH in the neurocritical care unit as well as the pre-admission testing center. She has served on a medical service trip to Costa Rica through the Foundation for the International Medical Relief for children during spring break of her sophomore year. Furthermore, she has served first as an assistant team leader her junior year, and then the team leader her senior year for an organization called Beyond Bama a division of the Center of Service and Leadership designed to bring students on service trips during the alternative breaks of the academic year.
In her almost two years with TERM, Emma Anne has consistently worked on the Selma project which seeks to understand if the presence of free clinics in Selma, AL reduces the use of local hospitalizations. She has contributed to multiple conference abstracts, posters, and a manuscript that will be published in the near future.
Lacey Ryan: Mental Health in Dentistry
Lacey Ryan is a senior at the University of Alabama studying Biology and Business on the pre-dental track, with hopes of becoming a Pediatric Dentist in the future. During her five semesters at the university, she has either been placed on either the President’s List (4.0 GPA) or Dean’s List (3.5-4.0 GPA) each semester.
Outside the classroom, Lacey enjoys spending time volunteering in the Tuscaloosa community.
She has been a frequent volunteer at both the Pine Valley and Crimson Village retirement homes. Additionally, Lacey works to fundraise and spread awareness for UA’s B+ Foundation, an organization dedicated to fighting childhood cancer.
As a member of TERM for the past semester, Lacey has been working on the Dental Mental project, researching how dentists can recognize suicidal traits and take the necessary steps to prevent suicide among their patients.
Lacey Ryan is a senior at the University of Alabama studying Biology and Business on the pre-dental track, with hopes of becoming a Pediatric Dentist in the future. During her five semesters at the university, she has either been placed on either the President’s List (4.0 GPA) or Dean’s List (3.5-4.0 GPA) each semester.
Outside the classroom, Lacey enjoys spending time volunteering in the Tuscaloosa community.
She has been a frequent volunteer at both the Pine Valley and Crimson Village retirement homes. Additionally, Lacey works to fundraise and spread awareness for UA’s B+ Foundation, an organization dedicated to fighting childhood cancer.
As a member of TERM for the past semester, Lacey has been working on the Dental Mental project, researching how dentists can recognize suicidal traits and take the necessary steps to prevent suicide among their patients.
Trey Clark: Asynchronous Telemedicine
Trey Clark is a senior at the University of Alabama and is majoring in biology with plans to join the military and attend medical school after graduating in 2022. He is a part of the Technology, Education, and Research in Medicine (TERM) team, with a focus on the Asynchronous Telemedicine project. He has also been recognized on the Dean’s List during each semester of his attendance.
Clark spent his childhood moving from place to place while his father attended medical school and residency. This upbringing sparked his interest in medicine. At only sixteen, he was trained to help assist his father in minor medical procedures, such as abscess drainage, wound sanitizing, and a variety of suturing methods, all with the patient’s consent.
Outside of school, Trey spends his time building and working on computers, trying to score a diamond ring in his new hobby of underwater metal detecting, and listening to classic rock.
Trey Clark is a senior at the University of Alabama and is majoring in biology with plans to join the military and attend medical school after graduating in 2022. He is a part of the Technology, Education, and Research in Medicine (TERM) team, with a focus on the Asynchronous Telemedicine project. He has also been recognized on the Dean’s List during each semester of his attendance.
Clark spent his childhood moving from place to place while his father attended medical school and residency. This upbringing sparked his interest in medicine. At only sixteen, he was trained to help assist his father in minor medical procedures, such as abscess drainage, wound sanitizing, and a variety of suturing methods, all with the patient’s consent.
Outside of school, Trey spends his time building and working on computers, trying to score a diamond ring in his new hobby of underwater metal detecting, and listening to classic rock.
Nicole White: Mental Health in Dentistry
Nicole White is a junior at The University of Alabama. She is majoring in Psychology and minoring in Human Development and Family Studies with plans of becoming a clinical psychologist. Nicole is passionate about mental health and leadership. She plans to have her own private practice and work in Alabama with patients that live in different communities, including rural areas for people who do not have much access to mental health care.
Nicole has been placed on the Dean’s/President’s List throughout all of the semesters in which she has attended The University of Alabama as well. She was accepted into the 2021-2023 cohort of The Psychology Honors Program, which is a 4-semester research-based program that prepares students for graduate school. She is a member of various leadership organizations such as Circle K International, Crimson Kindness, and the Al’s Pals Mentorship Program. She is also part of Psi Chi Honor Society, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society (awarded to the top 20% of the class), National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society.
Nicole has been a member of the Technology, Education, and Research in Medicine (TERM) research lab since March 2019. She is involved in the Mental Health in Dentistry project, in which she, along with other members of TERM, research and explore benefits and challenges associated with engaging dental professionals in screening for mental health concerns.
Outside of her academic life, she likes to travel with her family, read novels, and binge-watch series!
Nicole White is a junior at The University of Alabama. She is majoring in Psychology and minoring in Human Development and Family Studies with plans of becoming a clinical psychologist. Nicole is passionate about mental health and leadership. She plans to have her own private practice and work in Alabama with patients that live in different communities, including rural areas for people who do not have much access to mental health care.
Nicole has been placed on the Dean’s/President’s List throughout all of the semesters in which she has attended The University of Alabama as well. She was accepted into the 2021-2023 cohort of The Psychology Honors Program, which is a 4-semester research-based program that prepares students for graduate school. She is a member of various leadership organizations such as Circle K International, Crimson Kindness, and the Al’s Pals Mentorship Program. She is also part of Psi Chi Honor Society, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society (awarded to the top 20% of the class), National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society.
Nicole has been a member of the Technology, Education, and Research in Medicine (TERM) research lab since March 2019. She is involved in the Mental Health in Dentistry project, in which she, along with other members of TERM, research and explore benefits and challenges associated with engaging dental professionals in screening for mental health concerns.
Outside of her academic life, she likes to travel with her family, read novels, and binge-watch series!
Nick Elwing: URL Project
Nick is currently studying history as a major with a concentration in legal history. He joined the TERM group his sophomore year (2021-2022) and has enjoyed diving deep into the outcomes for students engaging with research at the college level. At Brookfield East High School in Brookfield, Wisconsin, Nick was involved in swimming, cross country, and biological research programs. He also received the National Merit Finalist award.
As a collegiate student, Nick has pursued a path towards pre-law at the University of Alabama. He is currently in the latter half of the Emerging Scholars Program and is intent on continuing to do research for the foreseeable future. Nick enjoys exploring Alabama's beautiful campus and meeting new people along the way. To this end, he serves as recruitment chair for the Alabama Triathletes on campus. He also serves his community in Wisconsin as an Emergency Medical Technician. He is convinced that by engaging zealously with academics, research, and extracurriculars, he can achieve a fulfilling college career.
Nick is currently studying history as a major with a concentration in legal history. He joined the TERM group his sophomore year (2021-2022) and has enjoyed diving deep into the outcomes for students engaging with research at the college level. At Brookfield East High School in Brookfield, Wisconsin, Nick was involved in swimming, cross country, and biological research programs. He also received the National Merit Finalist award.
As a collegiate student, Nick has pursued a path towards pre-law at the University of Alabama. He is currently in the latter half of the Emerging Scholars Program and is intent on continuing to do research for the foreseeable future. Nick enjoys exploring Alabama's beautiful campus and meeting new people along the way. To this end, he serves as recruitment chair for the Alabama Triathletes on campus. He also serves his community in Wisconsin as an Emergency Medical Technician. He is convinced that by engaging zealously with academics, research, and extracurriculars, he can achieve a fulfilling college career.
Sydney Brennan: AmBT
Sydney Brennan is currently a sophomore at the University of Alabama studying psychology on the pre-medical track. She is a member of the Honors College and has been recognized on the President’s List (semester GPA of 4.0) for both semesters of her freshman year.
Sydney was photographed with a stethoscope to her newborn sister’s chest when she was three years old and fervently insisted that she was going to be a doctor ever since. She volunteered at Sky Ridge Medical Center in her home state of Colorado for five years and accumulated over 500 hours of community service. She guided incoming guests at the information desk, organized patient waiting rooms, pioneered a student volunteer role on the cardiology floor, and became the lead volunteer trainer in the Emergency Room. She continues to volunteer at DCH Regional Hospital’s COVID vaccination clinic in Alabama.
She hopes to incorporate her psychology education on mental health with her work as a physician to provide comprehensive patient care.
Sydney Brennan is currently a sophomore at the University of Alabama studying psychology on the pre-medical track. She is a member of the Honors College and has been recognized on the President’s List (semester GPA of 4.0) for both semesters of her freshman year.
Sydney was photographed with a stethoscope to her newborn sister’s chest when she was three years old and fervently insisted that she was going to be a doctor ever since. She volunteered at Sky Ridge Medical Center in her home state of Colorado for five years and accumulated over 500 hours of community service. She guided incoming guests at the information desk, organized patient waiting rooms, pioneered a student volunteer role on the cardiology floor, and became the lead volunteer trainer in the Emergency Room. She continues to volunteer at DCH Regional Hospital’s COVID vaccination clinic in Alabama.
She hopes to incorporate her psychology education on mental health with her work as a physician to provide comprehensive patient care.
Maddy Bley: AmBT
Maddy is a freshman at the University of Alabama. She is majoring in Public Health, to gain a better understanding of physical and mental well being while examining the social and economic impact of available healthcare. She is also minoring in Neuroscience to pursue an in-depth multidisciplinary study of the nervous system. She hopes to attend medical school to be an aspiring Obstetrics and Gynecology physician.
Maddy works alongside Drs. Smith and Culmer on the Ambulance Based Telemedicine Research Project through the TERM (Technology, Education, Research in Medicine) team.
In addition to her work on the AmBT project, Maddy is a part of the Honors College. She has also made President’s List (GPA of 4.0 or higher) during her time at Alabama. She is also apart of the Delta Initiative, which works to promote and encourage women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Lastly, Maddy is an Al’s Pals Mentor, and actively works at a local elementary school tutoring third graders.
Maddy has interned in the Emergency Room, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and the PICU. Maddy hopes to begin volunteering at DCH during her undergrad years and additionally become phlebotomy certified.
Maddy is a freshman at the University of Alabama. She is majoring in Public Health, to gain a better understanding of physical and mental well being while examining the social and economic impact of available healthcare. She is also minoring in Neuroscience to pursue an in-depth multidisciplinary study of the nervous system. She hopes to attend medical school to be an aspiring Obstetrics and Gynecology physician.
Maddy works alongside Drs. Smith and Culmer on the Ambulance Based Telemedicine Research Project through the TERM (Technology, Education, Research in Medicine) team.
In addition to her work on the AmBT project, Maddy is a part of the Honors College. She has also made President’s List (GPA of 4.0 or higher) during her time at Alabama. She is also apart of the Delta Initiative, which works to promote and encourage women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Lastly, Maddy is an Al’s Pals Mentor, and actively works at a local elementary school tutoring third graders.
Maddy has interned in the Emergency Room, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and the PICU. Maddy hopes to begin volunteering at DCH during her undergrad years and additionally become phlebotomy certified.