Jiana Baker, Class of 2025, is on a roll. The Florida Chapter of the American College of Physicians has named her the 2024 Student of the Year and a 2024 Outstanding Medical Student.
The awards highlight Baker's academic excellence, research involvement, and commitment to internal medicine. Baker has excelled at the FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, serving as co-editor for the Florida Medical Student Research Journal, MedLEAD chair, Diversity Advisory Council member, and mentor. Her research in cardiology and nephrology has led to nine publications and fifteen poster presentations. In addition, her outstanding clinical performances and a solid commitment to health promotion prompted
Dr. Amalia Landa Galindez, interim chair of the Department of Translational Medicine, to recommend her for the Outstanding Student award.
These honors hold deep significance for Baker, who recently lost her father. "He always took great pride in telling everyone who would listen that his daughter was going to be a doctor, so this news would have thrilled him," she shared. "My aspiration has always been to care for patients like my father, supporting them throughout their health journey. Receiving this award reassures me that I am on the right path to achieving that goal."