Archer Fellowship Program Alumni Profiles
Malissa Owen
Spring 2020 Archer Fellow
Internship: American Public Health Association
Education
The University of Texas at Dallas
Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience, May 2020
The University of North Texas Health Science Center - Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, May 2024
Career
Medical Student
Spring 2020 Archer Fellow
Internship: American Public Health Association
Education
The University of Texas at Dallas
Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience, May 2020
The University of North Texas Health Science Center - Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, May 2024
Career
Medical Student
"The [Archer Fellowship] experience helped open my mind to different perspectives. I talked to political staffers in Congress from both sides of the aisle, went to museums and exhibits that made me think more critically about our nation's history, and was pushed out of my comfort zone nearly every single day. It made for an unforgettable experience."
Q & A with Malissa
Please tell us more about your current position.
I am currently a second year medical student in Fort Worth, Texas.
Please tell us more about your Archer Fellowship Program internship.
I interned in the Center for Climate, Health, and Equity at APHA. In this position, I helped the center build their social media presence, edited and organized fact sheets on how climate change influences our health, collected short stories from APHA members on their experience with how climate has impacted them, and helped coordinate meetings within the department.
What has been your general career path?
My interest in public health has really influenced my career in medicine. Osteopathic medicine lines up with that passion well because of the field's emphasis on holistic and preventative care. Although I am still deciding what specialty of medicine I will ultimately go into, I have really enjoyed learning about OBGYN, oncology, and neurology!
How has your experience as an Archer Fellow influenced your career path and goals?
Advocacy has been an important pursuit for me since I was in high school. My time as an Archer Fellow gave me the opportunity to do it full time for the course of an entire semester. This helped confirm for me that I always want advocacy to be a part of my career in some form or fashion. As a physician, this comes in the form of always being an advocate for my patients and those I will mentor. In addition, I plan to always play a role in organized medicine. Currently, I am involved in our school's chapter of Texas Medical Association and the American Medical Association (AMA). At the last AMA conference, I served as the delegate for our school to vote on matters that would govern how the society lobbies Congress.
What did you value the most about your Archer Fellowship Program experience?
First of all, I really valued the opportunity to intern full time in Washington, D.C. I could definitely see myself moving back to this city in the future to live in for a longer period of time. This experience also helped open my mind to different perspectives. I talked to political staffers in Congress from both sides of the aisle, went to museums and exhibits that made me think more critically about our nation's history, and was pushed out of my comfort zone nearly every single day. It made for an unforgettable experience.
What do you value the most about being an alumnae?
It has been so fun to see what other Archer Fellows go on to accomplish in their lives and careers. Everyone I met in the Fellowship was brilliant and unique and it makes me proud to have been a part of a group that had so much potential and talent.
What is your favorite memory as an Archer Fellow?
I have so many great memories as an Archer Fellow. My cohort had the particularly challenging time of occurring at the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was an eerie feeling to bear witness to the once bustling streets and subway stations becoming nearly empty. However, one of my favorite memories was being able to see the cherry blossoms bloom around the Tidal Basin and National Mall because I had been looking forward to seeing them all year. I was able to dress up with some friends and make it there to take tons of pictures at a peak time of their blooming. The very next day, the area was shut down and closed off completely from visitors, so we made it in the nick of time!
Please tell us more about your current position.
I am currently a second year medical student in Fort Worth, Texas.
Please tell us more about your Archer Fellowship Program internship.
I interned in the Center for Climate, Health, and Equity at APHA. In this position, I helped the center build their social media presence, edited and organized fact sheets on how climate change influences our health, collected short stories from APHA members on their experience with how climate has impacted them, and helped coordinate meetings within the department.
What has been your general career path?
My interest in public health has really influenced my career in medicine. Osteopathic medicine lines up with that passion well because of the field's emphasis on holistic and preventative care. Although I am still deciding what specialty of medicine I will ultimately go into, I have really enjoyed learning about OBGYN, oncology, and neurology!
How has your experience as an Archer Fellow influenced your career path and goals?
Advocacy has been an important pursuit for me since I was in high school. My time as an Archer Fellow gave me the opportunity to do it full time for the course of an entire semester. This helped confirm for me that I always want advocacy to be a part of my career in some form or fashion. As a physician, this comes in the form of always being an advocate for my patients and those I will mentor. In addition, I plan to always play a role in organized medicine. Currently, I am involved in our school's chapter of Texas Medical Association and the American Medical Association (AMA). At the last AMA conference, I served as the delegate for our school to vote on matters that would govern how the society lobbies Congress.
What did you value the most about your Archer Fellowship Program experience?
First of all, I really valued the opportunity to intern full time in Washington, D.C. I could definitely see myself moving back to this city in the future to live in for a longer period of time. This experience also helped open my mind to different perspectives. I talked to political staffers in Congress from both sides of the aisle, went to museums and exhibits that made me think more critically about our nation's history, and was pushed out of my comfort zone nearly every single day. It made for an unforgettable experience.
What do you value the most about being an alumnae?
It has been so fun to see what other Archer Fellows go on to accomplish in their lives and careers. Everyone I met in the Fellowship was brilliant and unique and it makes me proud to have been a part of a group that had so much potential and talent.
What is your favorite memory as an Archer Fellow?
I have so many great memories as an Archer Fellow. My cohort had the particularly challenging time of occurring at the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was an eerie feeling to bear witness to the once bustling streets and subway stations becoming nearly empty. However, one of my favorite memories was being able to see the cherry blossoms bloom around the Tidal Basin and National Mall because I had been looking forward to seeing them all year. I was able to dress up with some friends and make it there to take tons of pictures at a peak time of their blooming. The very next day, the area was shut down and closed off completely from visitors, so we made it in the nick of time!
