APMA News - July/August 2018 - 54

Development Update

Highlighting Today's Most Outstanding Student
Scholars: 10 Minutes with Brandt Davis
Each year, the APMA Educational Foundation
awards scholarships to exceptional third- and
fourth-year podiatric medical school students.
We sat down with scholarship recipient Brandt
Davis of the Barry University School of Podiatric
Medicine, Class of 2019, and he talked about
what led him to podiatry, and what makes him
stand out from others.

ditional trip every year. My next goal was to
attend podiatric medical school and have a
leadership position in my class. This is something I have accomplished being the [American Podiatric Medical Students' Association]
Class of 2019 delegate. All these goals have
come with their challenges, but looking
back, I can confidently say I am proud of my
accomplishments and am excited to set new
goals moving forward.

APMA News:
APMA News:
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
Congratulations on your scholarship. Where
Davis:
did you receive your undergraduate degree?
My biggest passion and hobby is travelBrandt Davis
Davis:
ing so I can experience new cultures and the
I attended the University of North Carounique history of a region. When I travel, I
pay attention to the UNESCO World Heritage List and try to
lina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, where I received a Bachelor of Arts
plan trips around the sites. I was lucky enough to have the
in Exercise and Sport Science and [minored] in Chemistry and
opportunity to study health care in Denmark, studying abroad
Cognitive Psychology. I'm originally from Pinehurst, NC.
in Copenhagen. It was the greatest experience of my life and
sparked my love for travel.
APMA News:
My daily hobby is running. I love to run around Miami and
What made you decide to pursue podiatric medicine?
see new areas of the city. Other interests include sports, being
Davis:
outside, trying new food, and going to the beach.
I had the privilege of attending and leading two medical
mission trips to Nicaragua during my time at UNC. During my
trips, I saw a large variety of patients needing medical care.
When I returned to UNC, the patients I remembered the most
had wounds, foot pain, and orthopedic abnormalities located in
the lower extremity. I shadowed a podiatrist in Chapel Hill, NC,
and saw the level of care a podiatrist provides and, most importantly, that a podiatrist experiences the satisfaction of a
well-treated patient.
APMA News:
What are some challenges you've overcome or accomplishments
you've achieved?
Davis:
My life has been a series of steps and goals. My first goal
was to attend UNC-Chapel Hill. Once at UNC, my main goal
was to make a difference and to leave a legacy. I believe I set up
a legacy with my time serving as secretary and president of
Global Medical Training (GMT). I planned more than four trips
and attended two trips to Nicaragua to set up free medical
health-care centers. GMT is still expanding and adding an ad54 APMA News July/August 2018

APMA News:
What's the hardest part about being a student, and what's
the best?
Davis:
The hardest part about being a student is not getting caught
up with all the small things and distractions associated with being a student. The important idea is seeing the big picture and
relating every class and lecture to my future patient interactions.
Everything you learn in school can be applicable to being a competent physician and helping your future patients, which is truly
the ultimate end goal.
APMA News:
What makes you stand out from others?
Davis:
In high school, I was voted as having the "best smile." My
senior chart had a description that read, "Can you imagine
them without__________," and my classmates voted "a smile."
[My smile] is something I try to bring to clinics and class.

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