PR2004 Feb 3
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS BRIEF
SHELTON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
WENDY JONES
PHONE: 205/391-2310
FAX: 205/391-3912
February 3, 2004
Profiles in Leadership Series Continues in February
TUSCALOOSA – The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Shelton State Community College Profiles in Leadership Speaker Series continues on February 18 with a presentation from Dr. Amit Sharma.
Dr. Sharma is working with University of Alabama Professor of Community and Rural Medicine John Wheat, MD, MPH as a research associate. As Project Coordinator In-charge for the Alabama Family Practice Rural Health Network, he will speak on the program’s efforts to encourage more students to pursue health education careers and return to provide care in their home communities in rural Alabama.
Dr. Sharma decided to pursue a career in medicine after his grandfather died of a heart attack in rural India, where medical care was unavailable. He earned his degree in medicine and surgery from Madras Medical College and Research Institute and Government General Hospital in Chennai, India. During his training he worked with a team of physicians, medical students, and a dentist to provide basic health care and health education through free health camps in rural underserved areas. After graduation, he joined the federal government as an in-charge medical officer of a primary health care center in rural northern India and worked as a project officer with the World Health Organization Polio Eradication Program. Dr. Sharma was on a United Kingdom medical rescue team after a devastating earthquake in India’s Gujrat state and as a result wanted to learn more about western medicine.
Dr. Sharma came to the U.S. from India to continue his medical education and plans to complete an internal medicine residency and work in rural Alabama before returning to his country. He interviewed at Mayo Clinic and was invited to do his residency there, but he has decided to enter an internal medicine residency in Montgomery so he can continue to focus on rural medicine and public health aspects of the health care system.
Dr. Sharma’s February 18 lecture will be presented in the D-Room on the Martin Campus of Shelton State Community College at 10:00 A.M.
Phi Theta Kappa international honor society has as its mission to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students. PTK also seeks to provide opportunities for the development of leadership and service, an intellectual climate for the exchange of ideas and ideals, and lively fellowship within the learning community.
For more information on the Profiles in Leadership series, please contact Nora Lee at 205-391-2367.
###