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USF graduate succeeds after CAS internships[11.12.2013]
TAMPA, Fla. – Jonathan Meadows is a University of South Florida graduate using his experience with the College of Arts and Sciences Legislative and Tallahassee Internship Programs (LIP and TIP) in New York City.
Meadows, a 2007 USF graduate who received his Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science and graduated with a Master of Public Health in 2010, is currently in a post baccalaureate program for medical school which should feed into a Medical Degree program at Touro College in NYC.
He participated in the Legislative Internship program with former Sen. Victor D. Crist in fall of 2009 in his district office in Tampa, Fla. He participated in the Tallahassee Internship program with James Mosteller, lobbyist for the American Heart Association in the spring of 2010 in Tallahassee, Fla.
“Both opportunities provided me with opportunity to observe and participate in the inner works of how government addressed current issues at the time and the processes of representative democracy,” Meadows said, “I had a fantastic time working with constituents in my Senate district on a variety of issues and providing service by helping them link with services from the executive branch.”
“I learned a tremendous amount about how the legislative process works during session and the dedicated roles that lobbyists play in terms of selecting issues (particularly health issues), and choosing how to advocate and then analyzing that effort. During my time in the 2010 legislative session, I watched and helped one bill on the American Heart Association's agenda get passed! It was thrilling!”
Meadows said his education was enhanced by his participation in the program because it provided him the opportunity to advocate for an issue he was interested in. It also demonstrated the intimate relationship between public health funding and the legislature. His experience with the program continues to help him today.
“I am more understanding of how issues are forged into bills and passed into law,” he said, “I am zealous to advocate for my professions, both in public health and medicine, and on a variety of health issues that I hope will improve the health of individuals and communities both in the US and abroad. I hope to use my skills in the New York State Legislature, the Congress, and in New York City where there are numerous advocacy forums that impact international health such as policy standards for prison health, funding for refugee services, etc.”
“Finally, it is helping me with my participation in medical ethics. Participating in the activity requires thoughtful consideration, deliberation, discussion, and ultimately, a decision that impacts that lives of individuals for the rest of their lives.”
Meadows notice parallels between legislative affairs and the legislative process and has used his skills and experience from the TIP & LIP program and has applied in parts of medical ethics cases.
“I have used these skills while I was the Community Representative of Tampa General Hospital Ethics Board while I was employed there and in my medical ethics class in my MS degree at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harlem, New York City,” Meadows said.
Meadows said that the greatest lesson he learned through the programs was how to impact policy and the laws of society and how to help others do the same.
-USF-
Filed under:Arts and Sciences Chemistry CreditsAuthor: Justine Figueroa Contact: