Kunishige receives AMPAC student award

University of Florida College of Medicine third-year student Joy Kunishige has been selected from a national field of candidates to receive the American Medical Association Political Action Committee (AMPAC) Student Membership Award for 2002.

The second UF student to receive the award in its four-year history, Kunishige was chosen for her extensive work with the Florida Medical Political Action Committee (FLAMPAC), the state counterpart to AMPAC.

Her activities with FLAMPAC included educating Florida medical students about the organization, serving on its board of directors and creating a statewide newsletter titled “Flampac F.Y.I.” The Chicago native has a strong interest in governmental relations; she is one of 21 students nationwide who serve on the AMA House of Delegates. She also published an article in the April 2002 issue of the Florida Medical Association Quarterly Journal recounting her experiences as a governmental relations intern in Washington, D.C., with Rep. Karen Thurman, D-Fla.

“Joy is a phenomenal student and person,” said Robert Watson, M.D., College of Medicine senior associate dean for educational affairs. “I have told her since she was a first-year student that someday she will run for public office and win easily. I see Senator Kunishige in my mind’s eye.”

Kunishige will be recognized at the AMA annual meeting in June in Chicago, as part of the medical student section activities.