APMA News - July/August 2020 - 57

Development Update

Highlighting Today's Most Outstanding Student Scholars:
10 Minutes with Marika Jackson
Each year, the APMA Educational Foundation
awards scholarships to exceptional third- and
fourth-year podiatric medical school students. In
this issue, we sat down with Marika Jackson,
Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine,
Class of 2021, recipient of the CrocsRx
scholarship. Jackson received her bachelor's
degree in African Studies from the University of
Pittsburgh.

I made a weekly schedule and stuck [to] it. I
reserved Sundays as family day. My husband
and children have always been supportive,
which made a huge difference.
APMA News: What are some of your
hobbies or interests?
Jackson: I enjoy spending time with my
family. I love to cook and try new recipes.

APMA News: What's the hardest part about
being a student, and what's the best?
Jackson: The hardest part about being a
APMA News: Congratulations on your
student is balancing your time between classes
scholarship. Where did you receive your
and studying with your other life interests.
undergraduate education?
The best part about being a student is
Jackson: I received my undergraduate
Marika Jackson
studying really hard-I mean giving your best
education at the University of Pittsburgh.
and seeing the reward follow with passing an
I majored in African Studies and did all the Pre-Med
exam or being able to explain a concept that you once felt was
courses. I was born on the last island in the Caribbean,
too challenging to understand.
Trinidad. I grew up in St. Thomas, USVI. I lived there from
age five to 17.
APMA News: What makes you stand out from others?
APMA News: What made you decide to pursue podiatric
medicine?
Jackson: Two of my uncles had lower extremity amputations
due to uncontrolled diabetes. I knew that I wanted to pursue a
career in medicine that helped [people with diabetes]. A former
professor told me that podiatrists treat a high volume of diabetic
patients. I decided to shadow a podiatrist, and instantly I knew
that this scope of medicine would afford me the opportunity to
help patients to save their limbs.
APMA News: Are you working on any medical projects or
research?
Jackson: I am currently on the Hallux magazine team. This
online magazine [is prepared] by a group of students and
residents with the goal of exposing more people to what podiatry
is and all that podiatry has to offer.
APMA News: What are some challenges you've overcome or
accomplishments you've achieved?
Jackson: Podiatry is a career change for me. I was a high
school science teacher for more than a decade. I began podiatry
school with a family. Having to juggle classes, studying, community service, and spending quality time with my husband and
children was a challenge. Before starting school, I always felt as
though I would not be able to successfully balance all of these,
but I stayed organized and made a plan. As a third-year student,
looking back over the last two years, I conquered this challenge.

Jackson: My work ethic! Being a mother of four children
while being in medical school makes me push past challenges.
When I come home and see their faces or think about them, an
insatiable drive to succeed overwhelms me.
APMA News: What qualities would you say make a great
physician?
Jackson: I am a great physician because I am compassionate, a great communicator, and I am patient.
APMA News: How do you stay motivated as a student?
Jackson: I stay motivated as a student by thinking about the
future. I think about the lives that I will impact by my
dedication and commitment to serve humankind.
APMA News: Is anyone else in your family in the medical field?
Jackson: I am the first one in my family to pursue a career in
medicine. I feel honored to blaze this path and hope that at least
one of my four children pursues this calling.
APMA News: What do you look forward to as a podiatric
physician?
Jackson: I look forward to educating my patients on proper
foot care. I look forward to helping patients save their limbs. I
look forward to helping patients heal wounds. I look forward to
fixing broken bones. I look forward to resolving my patients'
pain. I look forward to making podiatry an even greater field of
medicine and inspiring others to do the same. n
APMA News July/August 2020

APMA News - July/August 2020

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