The College of Medicine’s Medical Student Council hosted its annual Recognized Student Organization (RSO) Awards Night on Dec. 8 in the Durell Peaden Auditorium.
The ceremony recognizes the most outstanding RSO’s, in addition to their leaders and events as the calendar year draws to a close.
The 2023 RSO of the Year honor was presented to PRIDE (Promoting Recognition of Identity, Dignity & Equality) in Healthcare. The organization provides support to LGBTQ students and the community through education, service, advocacy, collaboration, mentorship, and support.
In addition to the team honor, PRIDE officer Dillon Buckley (M.D. Class of 2026) collected the Medical Student Council Leadership Award.
In another leadership category, Elizabeth Ruelke was honored as RSO President of the Year. Ruelke (M.D. Class of 2026) headed up the Business and Medicine (BAM) organization and served as the coordinator for the inaugural Specialty & Business Symposium in August, which drew 150 students with an interest in medical careers.
Women’s Health Day, held Nov. 1 on Landis Green and presented by the FSU chapter of the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) and the College of Medicine, received RSO Event of the Year honors. The daylong event is a free health education and resource for students, graduates, faculty and staff, and it promotes physical, clinical, mental, financial and sexual health through a variety of activities.
Not coincidentally, AMWA advisor Casey Rust, M.D. received the RSO Advisor of the Year Award.
Philanthropic Event of the Year honors went to FSUCares’ MADSO Madness, a collaboration with CollegeTown’s Madison Social to support FSUCares’ mission to provide health services, medical care, education and counseling to those who would not otherwise have access to them.
Service Event of the Year honors went to the HOME (Homeless Outreach Medicine and Education) Street Medicine Drive, which is organized through the School of Physician Assistant Practice. HOME conducted two separate seasonal drives, collecting items including clothing, hygiene products, sunscreen, and bug repellent, which in turn are provided to Tallahassee’s unsheltered population during visits to their encampments.