Alexandra McDowell, BS, Appointed to SMA’s Physicians-in-Training Committee

The Southern Medical Association (SMA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Alexandra McDowell, BS, to SMA’s Physician-in-Training (PIT) Committee.

Alexandra is a second-year medical student at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center with interests in surgery, reconstructive outcomes, and academic medicine. Her research focuses on improving clinical processes and procedures and evaluating reconstructive outcomes to improve patient care.

With a strong interest in medical education and mentorship, Alexandra is committed to helping expand access to meaningful educational, research, and professional development opportunities for physicians-in-training. Through her work in burn and trauma research, she has helped fellow medical students become involved in research projects by assisting them in navigating project requirements, learning data collection methods, and gaining the experience needed to contribute independently.

Alexandra’s own experience with SMA’s Mentorship Program inspired her to become more involved with the Association and its efforts to connect and support trainees across institutions. As a member of the PIT Committee, she looks forward to contributing to educational programming, strengthening mentorship opportunities, and helping identify practical ways to connect trainees with resources and experiences that may otherwise be difficult to access.

“Through my involvement with the PIT Committee, I hope to learn from trainees and physicians across institutions while helping create meaningful opportunities for others,” Alexandra said. “I have benefited greatly from the mentorship, guidance, and research opportunities others have shared with me, and I hope to use those experiences to make similar opportunities more accessible to those coming after me.”