Page 5 - 2020 Awards & Recognition

United States Public
Health Service, Excellence
in Public Health Award
This national award recognizes medical students who are public health champions, advancing the United States Public Health Service mission to protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of our nation.
Gilbert Hernandez
Class of 2023
Gilbert is a visionary leader who seeks to educate and keep the public healthy. Gilbert helped to organize the Get Up and Move Health Fair in his hometown of Colton, California. This health fair provided activities for children as well as health screenings for adults. To prove efficacy, visitors were given pre-
and post-health fair quizzes and the results proved positive. Gilbert and his team arranged for multiple WesternU colleges to represent at this event making it an interprofessional health fair. His excitement to give back to the community is evidenced in his desire to make this an annual event as part of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association.
Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California Award
This award is presented to a second-year student for working to further osteopathic medical education in the state of California.
Brian Diep
Class of 2022
Brian is a true advocate of Osteopathic medicine and principles. Brian is not afraid to take on a challenging role and performs at the highest level. Not only does he take on leadership roles but
also encourages his peers to do the same. Brian has served as Chapter President and as a Board of Trustees
member of SOMA. Brian understands that organizational representation is critical for the Osteopathic voice, and he has been able to rally his peers to join the cause. Brian skillfully balances the business and public policy sides of medicine with the humanistic patient-centered focus that will make him an exceptional physician.