Page 8 - 2022 AUC Commencement Program

STEVEN JACKSON, MD CHRISTINA PEREZ-ARCHE, MD

KEYNOTE SPEAKER STUDENT SPEAKER

Dr. Steven Jackson is a program director and spinal cord injury specialist at Regions Hospital in Born in Miami, Fl, fueled by cafecito, Dr. Christina Perez-Arche worked fiercely to become the first
St. Paul, MN, part of HealthPartners. He serves as clinical program director, spinal cord injury doctor in her family. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences from the University of
medicine; co-chairman, medical advisor for health equity; and medical director, patient experience. Central Florida. Her passion for community health led her to obtain a Master’s in Public Health from
Dr. Jackson is also an assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of the University of Miami. During this time, she worked for the City of Miami on a public health initiative
Minnesota Medical School. called Live Healthy Little Havana.

Dr. Jackson is passionate about addressing disparities and advancing health equity. He has While at AUC, Dr. Perez-Arche has demonstrated remarkable leadership skills and a boundless
dedicated significant time and research in these areas, including his research project, “Identifying commitment to the AUC community through her extensive service in the Student Government
Racial and Ethnic Outcome Disparities After Discharge from Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation,” which Association (SGA) spanning all four years of medical school. She has pursued every opportunity to
aims to determine if there is a difference in the change in function and/or discharge destination ensure the student voice is represented at all levels of decision making and provided mentorship in
based on race or ethnicity. As co-host of the podcast, “Off the Charts: Examining the Health Equity service to her campus community. This service included co-founding the SGA Research Symposium
Emergency,” Dr. Jackson plays a pivotal role in expanding the definition of healthy communities and SGA Rise Core Values, as well as leading a restructuring of SGA in an effort to create a stronger
through open dialogue and conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism. In connection between the medical and clinical sciences students of St. Maarten, UK, and US. Dr.
addition, he has been engaged with research projects to increase the quality of life for patients Perez-Arche is a recipient of the Student Engagement Award, Empower Scholarship Award, and SGA
recovering from and managing lifelong spinal cord injuries. His research and practice in spinal cord Service Award.
injury are centered on encouragement, hope and restoration for his patients.
Dr. Perez-Arche is passionate about advocacy and mentorship. She spends her free time watching
After graduating from AUC School of Medicine in 2006, Dr. Jackson completed his surgery true crime with her best friend, Helen, her French bulldog. She is thankful to the AUC community for
internship and postdoctoral research fellowship in orthopedic surgery at Mayo Clinic / Mayo all the many opportunities she has been given to lead and study with such a talented group of young
School of Graduate Education in Rochester, MN. He completed his residency in physical medicine physicians. She believes the Class of 2022’s success is a testament to their commitment to Resilience,
and rehabilitation at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, where he served as chief Inclusion, Service, and Excellence (RISE). This summer she will be starting her pediatric residency at
resident and later completed his fellowship in spinal cord injury. He is board certified in spinal cord Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, FL.
injury by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and earned his MBA from
Hamline University.