Thursday, October 31, 1996
Polsfuss continues long streak of UCLA med students to earn the
Franklin C. McLean awardBy Kathryn Combs
Daily Bruin Contributor
Does working 12 hours a day sound like fun? To Gary Polsfuss, a
fourth-year Chicano medical student, this is just par for the
course.
But, Polsfuss’ 12-hour shifts finally paid off. He recently
received one of the oldest and most prestigious medical student
awards, the Franklin C. McLean award.
The Franklin C. McLean award aims to recognize excellent
minority students studying to become doctors. The award was
established in 1968 in memory of renowned bone physiologist,
Franklin McLean who founded the National Medical Fellowship, Inc.
(NMF).
Polsfuss is the 12th UCLA student since 1978 to be recognized
with this distinction.
Polsfuss said that when he was named top minority medical
student, he was shocked but felt that it was an honor to be able to
represent UCLA nationally.
"I think that it’s important to honor those who have excelled
and also those who show commitment to their community … I see
myself as more of a role model now than I ever have," Polsfuss
said.
Polsfuss, 25, has a long history of service to the community.
During the 1992 Northridge earthquake, he was a volunteer for the
Red Cross, providing medical relief to disaster victims. Polsfuss
is also an active member of numerous groups such as the Chicano
Medical Student Association and the Admissions sub-committee for
disadvantaged applicants.
"He is an excellent academic achiever and has done very much for
the UCLA community and for medically underserved areas of Los
Angeles through his volunteer efforts," said Fran Kissel,
Administrative Analyst for Medical Student Affairs.
The National Medical Fellowship selects one winner annually
using criteria such as overall ability and aptitude, achievements
during medical school and extracurricular activities. Candidates
can be nominated by professors or doctors.
Polsfuss was nominated for the award by Dr. Neil Parker, Senior
Associate Dean for Medical Student Affairs.
This is the second year in a row that a UCLA senior medical
student has received the award.
"He’s an outstanding candidate and an under represented minority
… he’s done extremely well at UCLA and has distinguished himself
on our national exams showing us that he’s at the very top," Parker
said.
"He fulfilled what we thought would be competitive with other
schools … They’re looking for an individual who shows their
outstanding achievements in many realms," he added.
Polsfuss, originally from West Covina, will soon complete his
eighth year at UCLA. He entered as an undergraduate biology major
in 1989. After completing four years, he received his B.A. and
entered into the UCLA School of Medicine the following Fall
quarter.
Polsfuss plans to specialize in Emergency Medicine. He says it
is the comprehensive nature of emergency medicine that attracts him
to it.
"Emergency medicine affords me the opportunity to work with many
different people, young and old, from a wide range of ethnicities,
with both serious and non-acute problems … working with many
different problems has always interested me." Polsfuss said.
On Nov. 7, the National Medical Foundation, in conjunction with
the American Association of Medical Colleges, will hold a
conference in San Francisco to honor Polsfuss as national top
minority medical student.
STEVE KIM/Daily Bruin
Gary Polsfuss was named the top minority medical student in the
country with the Franklin C. McLean award.