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KAMA Community
Leadership Award The KAMA Community Leadership Award is given annually to one or two pre-medical or medical students who have exhibited exceptional community service and community leadership in improving education and health in underserved communities. The award is sponsored by the Amed Medical Foundation. Eligibility: Current Pre-medical or medical student Worked on community service projects and led efforts in improving health and education in underserved communities. Nominated and chosen by KAMA leadership team. Award announcement: Early December The honoree(s) will receive the award and a scholarship fund to be used for education-related expenses. |
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2021 Honorees
Kashan Muhammad
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
I am a 2nd year medical student in my university’s accelerated medical program. I have been involved in mentoring high school students of underserved backgrounds to succeed in healthcare professions in my hometown of Kansas City, Missouri. I joined KAMA in 2021 and led the Breast Cancer Campaign while working with incredible Kurdish doctors and aspiring students in the process. KAMA has provided me with a platform to promote health awareness and has encouraged my efforts toward the prospects of medical advancement in the Kurdish community. I am excited to continue my academic journey with KAMA and look forward to more collaborative projects within our team of Kurdish experts!
Sumaya Muhamed
Belmont University
Belmont University
I am currently a sophomore at Belmont University studying biology and I hold a passion for being a voice for the underserved. I am a second generation Kurd leading the Hypertension Education Project at Amed Family Clinic, and I am grateful to be a part of KAMA. KAMA provided me opportunities to work directly with the Kurdish community that allowed me to cultivate my advocacy in medicine as well as providing substantial mentorship that guided my leadership skills. I am able to combine my love of science with my passion for social justice, and KAMA provided me with the platform to do so.
2020 Honorees
Amad Amedy
Wesleyan University 2019
Wesleyan University 2019
Amad is a student, writer and former Fulbright scholar from Nashville, TN. As a refugee who experienced various academic and health-related barriers growing up, he joined KAMA in 2018 in order to bridge the gap in mentorship and health information available to other Kurds in his community. Since joining, Amad has led and contributed to several health initiatives, including our COVID-19 Campaign, and has published various public health op-eds of his own in newspapers such as The Tennessean.
Arazoo Shwany
University of California, Los Angeles 2019
University of California, Los Angeles 2019
Arazoo is a former refugee from Hawler, Kurdistan and is currently based in San Diego, California. She began serving with KAMA in 2020 and has since led the Mental Health Matters initiative to destigmatize mental health within the Kurdish community. Arazoo's work has allowed her to educate and connect with thousands of Kurds across the world, and she hopes to expand her efforts to reach many more in the coming years.