Honorable Mention Winner
Shannon Price
Florida State University
Senior in Biology
3.59 GPA
     The stories go on and on. A 39-year-old grandmother who was burnt over 95 percent of her body, an 18-year-old who was brought in lifeless from a motor vehicle accident, and a 3-year-old who was rushed into the ER "limp and blue"— all of whom Shannon Levonne Price, a senior at Florida State University watched die. "I can sit down and cry at any moment over the patients I have seen die. You never get over stuff like that," says the 29-year-old, who’s a registered nurse and a full-time pre-med student. Price works at Doctors’ Memorial Hospital in Perry, Fla., spending time in the ER as well as a part of the trauma team. Price knows she can't prevent these tragedies from happening, but she plans to use her abilities to help intervene in such cases. She does all of this, plus finds time to head the International Medical Outreach program at FSU, and also is the director of the American Medical Student Association (AMSA). Not to mention the 120-mile drive to and from FSU Monday through Friday. "I live in Perry because that’s where my family lives. Family support is very important to me," Price says.
     "Unbelievably, Shannon has excelled at all of her endeavors and continually amazes all with her ability to juggle so many activities and maintain a quality family life," says James W. McKnight, CEO of Doctors’ Memorial Hospital.
     As the director for the International Medical Outreach program at FSU, Price participates in annual missions to Jamaica and El Salvador to provide health services to the underprivileged. The program selects 12 members to provide hands on medical care to less advanced countries. "When we’re in Jamaica for those 10 days, we live like Jamaicans with no air conditioning and no hot water," says Price. She recruits, educates, and trains the other members for the missions, which provide the public with free medications and supplies while offering first-hand medical care. "Reviewing all of the leadership positions I have held, none have been more challenging," says Price, who is heading to El Salvador this summer.
     Price also holds the position of director for the AMSA, a 40-member pre-medical honor society committed to providing support to those interested in becoming physicians. She conducts biweekly meetings and coordinates all group events, including guest speakers and provides educational literature to the residential class. "My interest is to provide both students and patients with information about medicine as best I can and help them make maximal use of it. I want to help the pre-med community better serve our patients and be the best physicians possible," Price says.
     Price is an independent student who pays for her education through her part-time job and financial aid. Her part-time work at the hospital pays for sixty percent of her college expenses and loans pay the rest.
Contact Price at shannonprice1971@yahoo.com.