Student Doctor of the Year
Journey to student doctor of the year has been long and enriching
Becoming a physician is not as simple as it can sometimes seem – you graduate from college and then put in four more years at medical school.
For Touro University California Student Doctor of the Year Samaneh Bolourchi, the road to this accolade has been a difficult but rewarding one.
The doors along her path weren’t always easy to open but the lessons of her hard-working immigrant parents helped her push through those difficulties.
“Persistence and determination were qualities my parents emulated in building their life here as immigrants from Iran,” Bolourchi said. “I am the first woman in my family who has even had the opportunity to study medicine. I am grateful for and motivated by the sacrifices that were made to afford me these experiences.”
In her recommendation letter supporting Bolourchi, College of Osteopathic Medicine Dean Dr. Tami Hendriksz said, “Samaneh embodies an amazing combination of strong leadership and true altruism.”
Her varied activities both on and off campus have painted her as an inspirational leader founded in compassion, diversity, inclusion, social justice and professionalism.
“I could not envision a better representative for our students, our school, or our profession,” Dr. Hendriksz added. “She is beloved by students, staff, faculty, and preceptors. All for great reason.”
Student-doctor Bolourchi has been a source of inspiration and leadership for many of her fellow students in the College of Osteopathic Medicine, a tribute she pays in return to many of them.
“There are countless students that have inspired me throughout this journey and absolutely deserve to be recognized for their contributions to our COM and community,” she said. “I am humbled to have even been considered among them.”
A Bay Area native, being close to home helped Bolourchi maintain a connection with her family, which helped provide a solid support system for dealing what is traditionally a very rigorous graduate school pathway.
However, she also cultivated a very strong support system with her TUC family.
“I feel very fortunate that Touro offers a close knit community that facilitates the development of strong relationships with peers, mentors, faculty, staff and the administration,” she said. Being able to work in the communities neighboring her own hometown was also a strong draw to Touro.
Bolourchi, as is commonly the case with students engaged in rotations, hasn’t yet settled in a definitive career path yet but is instead, fittingly, going where the road takes her.
“At this point I am still keeping an open mind. I have been thoroughly enjoying and appreciating the unique experiences, patient presentations, routines and work environments that each clinical rotation has to offer,” Bolourchi said.