Dr. Reed Macy and Dr. Katherine Pouns served as Co-Presidents of the Class of 2019. Both have been recognized for their leadership efforts in implementing the new curriculum, as well as helping to improve it.

Mentor comment: It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Katherine and Reed over the past four years. Their leadership skills in working collaboratively to implement the new curriculum and help us identify and make improvements have been remarkable. They are examples and role models to others. I am incredibly grateful for their partnership as we have worked together to shape both the learning environment and the educational program. They have definitely made their mark on UT Southwestern for the better. – Dr. Angela Mihalic, Dean of Medical Students and Associate Dean for Student Affairs

Dr. Reed Macy

Dr. Reed Macy

What this award means: Serving as Co-President has been a phenomenal experience. As the first class matriculating into the new curriculum, we met a number of challenges and opportunities to shape the didactics at UT Southwestern. It was a real privilege to work with and learn from so many of my peers, while witnessing the remarkable maturity and personal growth of our class over these past four years.

Background and family: I was born and raised in Massachusetts with my younger brother and made my way to the Lone Star State for college. I’ve since lived in Texas, New York, and Washington, D.C., and was elated to be accepted to medical school at UT Southwestern.

“When I was 12 years old, I got lost in the woods on a Boy Scout trip for a day and a half. It turned into one of the best camping trips ever.”

What led to your career path: I took the scenic route to medical school, first cutting my teeth in the financial services sector for a number of years before finding medicine. I have always enjoyed science, working in teams, and working with my hands. Medicine is the perfect trifecta of these characteristics.

College: I attended Rice University as a double major in economics and political science and served as President of my residential college.

UTSW activities: I served as Co-President of the Class of 2019, became a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society, joined the Emergency Medicine Interest Group, and was a volunteer at the Agape Clinic.

Future plans: I will complete my emergency medicine residency at the University of Maryland in Baltimore and am interested in EMS, administration, and sports medicine.

Surprising fact: When I was 12 years old, I got lost in the woods on a Boy Scout trip for a day and a half. It turned into one of the best camping trips ever.

Dr. Katherine Pouns

Dr. Katherine Pouns

What this award means: Being Co-President over the last four years has been incredibly rewarding, but it has also been overwhelming at times. In everything that I do, I strive to do it with excellence. I hope this award means that I accomplished what was needed – whether it was a minute, tedious task or a sweeping, major event – to the highest standard possible.

What led to your career path: I actually started working in energy consulting right after college before re-evaluating what I really wanted in a career. A mix of researching, networking, and trusting my gut led me to medicine. I am convinced every day that it was the right choice for me.

College: I attended Rice University as a double major in history and Asian studies. I studied abroad in Beijing in 2008, which was the perfect time to go since the Beijing Summer Olympics were closing.

UTSW activities: I have served as a class Co-President for all four years of medical school. Additionally, I was the Administrative Editor-in-Chief for the Class of 2019 yearbook, a peer mentor, and a weekend tour guide for UT Southwestern Medical School applicants.

Future plans: I’ll be completing my residency in general surgery at UT Southwestern and would either like to stay in general surgery or possibly specialize in surgical oncology or breast surgery. In the distant future, I would like to get involved in leadership again, though I am not sure what that looks like yet.

Surprising fact: I have seen every season of ABC’s The Bachelor/The Bachelorette and can provide deep analysis and historical context on anything that happens in the show.

About the award: The award is given each year to the student officers of the graduating class and includes a shared $1,000 award.