The Co-Presidents of UT Southwestern Medical School’s Class of 2018 – Dr. Juan Herrejon and Dr. Paul Anthony Rizk – worked so well together that they earned the nickname “Jual,” a meshing of their first names. But that could as well have been “Jewel” in regard to the shining example of cooperative leadership they displayed over their four years on campus.

“They were thoughtful, mature, and wise. Their leadership styles can be described as consensus-building,” said Dr. Angela Mihalic, Dean of Medical Students and Associate Dean for Student Affairs at the Medical School. “Together, they were incredibly effective. Neither was self-serving, but always put the best interests of others first. It has been an absolute joy and pleasure working with both of them.”

Drs. Herrejon and Rizk share the Medical School Student Leadership Award, which annually goes to the student officers of the graduating class and includes a shared $1,000 award.

Dr. Mihalic said the pair worked on many initiatives, including the creation of Wellness Week; a new campuswide student organization called Diversity and Inclusion Alliance; changes in the grading system initiated during their second year; and preparation for the Medical School accreditation.

The Class of 2018 Co-Presidents said that establishing wellness-centric offerings proved worthwhile.

“We wanted to make UTSW an environment in which all of our classmates could thrive, not only academically, but also socially and personally,” Dr. Herrejon said. “Through these efforts, I believe our classmates became more in tune with their mental health and were able to have time for self-care as a result of the decreased stress and increased opportunities to engage in wellness activities.”

Being recognized with the Leadership Award, they said, was a humbling distinction.

“It is an honor, but I have to think first of those who helped make accomplishments possible – the administrative help at the Medical School, the rest of the student government of our class, and our entire class,” Dr. Rizk said.

Dr. Paul Rizk

Dr. Rizk grew up in a medical household, the son of an orthopedic surgeon father and a nurse practitioner mother.

“My father was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, where he completed medical school before coming to the U.S. He did research for six years before trying to match, but had to scramble to secure an intern year in surgery. Before completing the rest of residency, he spent time in the Air Force, all during my childhood,” Dr. Rizk said. “Before I was born, my mother served at Parkland Hospital in the 1980s, so being able to come here was icing on the cake.” 

Dr. Rizk started high school at Lexington Catholic in Kentucky and finished at Monsignor Kelly Catholic in Beaumont, Texas. “It was during this time that I started to develop my passion for leadership through school organizations. These gave me a well-rounded foundation for my future in medicine, where every physician is truly a leader.” 

He went to Lamar University on a full academic scholarship as a Mirabeau Scholar, majoring in chemical engineering and physics, with minors in chemistry and mathematics. He also helped organize and played on the Lamar rugby team, rose to the district level of Circle K (Kiwanis), and led several collegiate honor societies.

In Medical School, he dove into his studies along with a Biomedical Innovation project. He also was active in student wellness, taught Yoga classes, and participated in other student events. In his free time, he stayed in touch with his sister, dabbled in finding the perfect guacamole recipe and making home-brewed beer, and relaxed to metalcore music. 

“Paul is a warm, upbeat, confident, and driven individual whose maturity, wisdom, and sound judgment made him an ideal class leader,” Dr. Mihalic said.

Drs. Rizk and Fantine Giap matched at the University of Florida College of Medicine – Shands Hospital, he in Orthopedic Surgery and she in Radiation Oncology. The couple met four years ago while running against one another for the Class of 2018 Presidency.

“We faced the real possibility of being separated for five years,” Mr. Rizk said after learning that they were headed to Gainesville. “But Florida has great programs for both of us.”

Dr. Juan Herrejon

As an immigrant from Mexico, Dr. Juan Herrejon witnessed what an endless supply of hard work and scant health care offerings could result in.

“I was born in Acambaro, Guanajuato, but my family immigrated to New Braunfels, Texas, when I was 6 years old,” he said. “My dad works as an electrician/plumber/mechanic, and my mom as a nursing assistant. Growing up in the setting of low socioeconomic status, I witnessed the disparities in health care that exist. This, along with my family’s struggle with diabetes, sparked my interest in medicine.”

At New Braunfels Canyon High School, Dr. Herrejon enrolled in the health science technology four-year curriculum that introduced him to medical careers and the possibility of attending college. He acquired certifications as a nursing assistant and as a pharmacy technician and became involved with the American Red Cross while advancing to Valedictorian and President of his graduating class.

Members of his family – parents Rafael and Maria Herrejon and brothers Rafael and Kennedy – were thrilled when Juan enrolled at UT Austin. “I absolutely loved my experience there,” Dr. Herrejon said. “I knew I wanted to make the most of my time, especially considering that I was the first in my family to have the opportunity to attend college.”

His activities included leadership with the Natural Sciences Council, chairing of the College Tuition and Budget Advisory Committee, membership in the Minority Student Advisory Council, and work as a resident assistant. He was named a College of Natural Sciences Dean’s Honored Graduate – a recognition given to less than 1 percent of graduates based on academic achievement, research, and service – as well as became an inducted member of the Friar Society, UT Austin’s oldest honor society for students who have made significant contributions to the university.

Besides his Medical School student leadership, Dr. Herrejon has been involved at UTSW with the annual United to Serve community health fair, student wellness, and as a mentor for members of Sprague College.