Board Member Matthew Uhlenkott of Aurora, Colorado

Leadership skills are important for professionals out in the "real world." One way students can demonstrate their developing leadership skills is through volunteer work or taking up positions of responsibility and authority. Matthew Uhlenkott of Aurora, Colorado demonstrated his abilities as a leader while he was a medical student.

In 2004, Matthew Uhlenkott of Aurora, Colorado decided to step outside of his comfort zone as an American student by volunteering with Mustard Seed Medical Mission. Through the organization, Matthew Uhlenkott of Aurora, Colorado was sent on a medical mission to Kingston, Jamaica where he was responsible for caring for disabled orphans. 

After the medical mission, Matthew Uhlenkott of Aurora, Colorado returned home but was forever changed from his experience. Besides learning about the disadvantages faced by those orphans, Matthew Uhlenkott of Aurora, Colorado's attention was brought to the topic of international medicine. Issues of health don't stop at international boarders and it was that knowledge that led Matthew Uhlenkott of Aurora, Colorado to take up international health concerns later.

Between 2006 and 2009, Matthew Uhlenkott of Aurora, Colorado joined the International Health Group. He worked as a board member and it was his responsibility to help coordinate medical student international electives in international medicine. The idea of international medicine isn't new. Doctors and health professionals repeatedly build upon the work of other doctors but the idea of a group at the student level for a long while was needed. 

His position as board member was instrumental in shaping the confidence of Matthew Uhlenkott of Aurora, Colorado has an individual. Always a brilliant student, his additional role as board member added another responsibility to his growing list of skills and experiences. Matthew Uhlenkott of Aurora, Colorado is no longer a board member of International Health Group but he is thankful for the experience. Now, he works as a resident anesthesiologist and performs medical research.