Elizabeth H. Kuge, OMS-IV, B.S.

I had the tremendous opportunity to help cowrite the RVUCOM Class of 2022 Vision Statement, and presented it with my peers in front of our class, faculty, and families and friends.

The Emergency Medical Minute hosted an evening centered around medicine, the outdoors, and how they intersect and contribute to one another. Untamed explored the exhilarating and fascinating world of wilderness emergency medicine, and taught attendees how to survive and care for emergencies in the outdoors.

This is my original artwork submission. I have had the privilege of learning about human anatomy through the art of dissection. I am incredibly grateful to my donor for giving my team and me her body to learn from. Though most of her remains have been properly stored for cremation, her heart still remains with her trunk, and is a reminder every time in lab that she has played a vital role in the shaping of over 100 future physicians.

My peers and I created posters highlighting the mental health stigmas from countries around the world and spent time presenting our findings to the student body and faculty. I specifically represented Nepal and discovered that in Nepalese culture, those with mental health illnesses are considered possessed or consumed with black magic, and are usually abandoned on the streets.

My research team and I traveled to San Diego, CA to collect data for our project on comparing the Accuracy and Efficiency of SALT v START Triage Protocols in a Simulated Mass Casualty Incident. We were able to witness the incredible simulations planned by Strategic Operations and watch as military medical students, law enforcement officers, and first responders train for real life MCI events. 

Through the Emergency Medicine Interest Group, I was able to sign up and attend Colorado University's Airway Management Night, hosted by CU and Denver Health EM Residents. I practiced my cricothyrotomy skills on pig organs, and had the opportunity to use a Macintosh, Miller, and Glidescope while practicing intubation!

The Emergency Medicine Interest Group at RVU held an IV Skills Session! I was able to learn and practice placing an IV on none other than best friend and fellow peer, SD Shirley P.

I was able to attend this conference with several of my peers and medical professionals to engage with some of the top healthcare policies and political experts. Here I am customizing my name tag at the event!

In our Evidence Based Medicine course, my team and I learned how to appropriately form a research question, and went through the steps of Acquire, Appraise, and Assess to come up with the best answer to our initial question.

After listening to a powerful talk on domestic violence by Amy McCandless, the Development Director for the Crisis Center, I vowed to not let others put me down so that I would not be victim to this type of violence. Best friend and fellow colleague, Student Doctor Shirley P., made this vow with me.

At RVU's Emergency Medicine Bootcamp, I had the opportunity to listen to Dr. Keith Van Meter, the Chairman of EM at Lousiana State University, and Dr. Gannon Sungar, Assistant Program Director at Denver Health EM. I also practiced presenting a case to an attending EM physician, and listened to a presentation on Chest Pain Diagnoses You Cannot Miss, by Dr. Ross

I presented our research objectives to all of the medical students, physicians, and Strategic Operations one day prior to when simulations began. I also learned how to perform a cricothyrotomy, insert a chest tube, place a tourniquet and wound packaging, and intubation throughout the week! 

A successful intubation! Since learning how to first intubate during Cut Suit Week, I was able to teach my peers and other students how to use the medical instruments to properly intubate the mannequins. See one, Do one, Teach one!

Medical and Physician Assistant students from RVU teamed up to help run this event hosted by the American Cancer Society! We arrived early to help set up the event, and stayed to ensure every participant was checked in for the walk

From watching Dr. Raffetto (L) intubate patients, to him explaining to a mother that her child had a viral illness and would not need antibiotics, I had the tremendous opportunity to shadow Dr. Raffetto for two weeks at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, CA

At the RVU Leadership Pinning Ceremony, I received a pin for my commitment as a Days of Diversity Ambassador, as well as an award for showing "active involvement in co-curricular activities and demonstrating enthusiasm and commitment to the development of a well-rounded physician". I was the only first year student to receive such an accolade! It is all thanks to the tremendous guidance from both Dr. Haider (L) and my academic advisor,
Ms. Trilce Ruiz (R)

I had the tremendous honor of introducing Lieutenant Commander and Dr. Andrea Austin, attending EM physician at Los Angeles County USC. During the EM Specialty Summit, first and second year students were given the opportunity to ask questions to a panel of EM physicians.

I was able to present my original artwork, "From the Heart" to my peers and my Structural Anatomy Department Faculty during this year's Donor Appreciation Ceremony. It was incredibly moving to be with and listen to my peers as we celebrated the lives that have impacted our careers so deeply. (See artwork above)

I volunteered as an Usher for RVU's Commencement Ceremony. I was able to get a glimpse of what to expect when I graduate in 3 years, something that I look forward to accomplishing.