(L to R) Dr. Carol Aschenbrener, AAMC executive vice president, and Tamika Smith
Tamika Smith, a third-year medical student at Northwestern University in Chicago, and the daughter of KC old boy, Everton Bailey, and Esther Bailey, recently received the 2008 Herbert W. Nickens Medical Student Scholarship from the Association of American Medical Colleges (“AAMC”). The award is presented annually by the AAMC to third-year medical students who exhibit exceptional leadership in the areas of education and health care for minorities.
Born in Jamaica, Smith migrated with her parents to the United States at age four in 1988 and has been an academic prodigy, garnering numerous academic accolades along the way:
She skipped two grades in elementary school
Runner up, Miami-Herald Spelling Bee 1995
Salutatorian, Miami-Killian High School 2002
Recipient, $40,000 Ron Brown National Scholarship 2002
Despite her commitment to academic excellence, Smith has consistently found time to engage in volunteer service, based on the mantra instilled in her by her parents: “To whom much has been given, much is required.” She also has an undying love for her native Jamaica and has maintained a strong affinity to its people and culture.
