Kaitlyn Thomas

Kaitlyn Thomas, a third-year Florida State University food and nutrition science major, uses knowledge gained from her coursework to give back to the local community. She works with Remote Area Medical (RAM) clinics, a local dental clinic and FSU University Health Services to help provide accessible dental care to all populations.

Thomas also teaches other FSU students the importance of giving back through her work as the RAM Chapter founder, a biology lab teaching assistant, and through Alpha Chi Sigma, the professional chemistry fraternity.

What made you choose to come to Florida State University?

Florida State University is a school that feels like a second home. FSU has strong academics, outstanding faculty, groundbreaking research opportunities and endless classes to choose from. Outside the classroom, Tallahassee hosts an incredible community of people, with Southern hospitality and amazing food. FSU is a school that truly cares about its students, with nationally top-ranked health services, incredible student organizations and thriving campus life. From my first campus tour when I was 15, I immediately felt like I was at home. 

What are some of your proudest achievements while attending FSU?

I earned my Dental Radiography Certification last year, which allowed me to become a licensed dental care provider with more opportunities to give back to my community. I have led the dental X-ray section of Remote Area Medical clinics, volunteered at other local clinics and worked as a dental assistant right here on campus. Being able to utilize my education to directly help people receive health care has been incredible and inspires me to attend dental school to be able to do even more.

Last November, the RAM executive board and I led a trip to Pensacola with 58 students to a pop-up clinic, which provided free medical, dental and vision services to more than 400 patients. The clinic director told us that if FSU had not come to this clinic, they would not have been able to see as many patients.

I am also the clinical volunteer trainer for Molar Express, a local pediatric dental office, that serves children covered by Medicaid. I began a partnership between this clinic and FSU’s Pre-Dental Society to help support this clinic’s needs. I have trained multiple members on clinical dental office skills, empowering more students to help our community.

How have you used your experiences at FSU to strengthen the local community?

Through founding FSU’s chapter of RAM, I have shown many FSU students the importance of rural health care and supporting all populations. Our members work as language interpreters, medical assistants, optician technicians, dental assistants, sterilization technicians and more. We strive to make more free clinics possible, and we are laying the foundation to one day host our own clinic in Tallahassee to support the community.

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