The fourth-year medical student has made an impact with her academics and extracurricular activities that are focused on compassionate care and supporting the well-being of her peers.
Every fall, the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) commemorates our rich history and celebrates the future we’re building together during Founders Week, which this year runs Oct. 14-17. Among the highlights of Founders Week is recognizing the extraordinary work of our faculty, staff, and students with awards that signify outstanding accomplishments in education, public service, research, entrepreneurship, and academics. Leading up to Founders Week, we will highlight the award winners every Wednesday on The Elm.
Nicol Tugarinov is on a mission to not only care for patients, but to also promote the well-being of the doctors who treat them.
Tugarinov, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM), has made her mark on the school through her research, volunteer, and leadership endeavors as well as her dedication to exploring the intersection of clinical medicine, leadership, research, humanism, and advocacy.
“Physician burnout is a prevalent and devastating issue in the medical field that I am deeply passionate about addressing,” said Tugarinov, who was named the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) 2024 Founders Week Student of the Year. “Recognizing the emotional challenges inherent in medicine, including difficult patient outcomes and unanswered questions, I became a wellness representative early in medical school. In this role, I advocated for my classmates’ well-being and served as a confidant during tough times.”
(See a video about Nicol Tugarinov below or on UMB’s YouTube channel.)
Tugarinov has been instrumental in organizing the school’s Peer Support Network, which aids students during their UMSOM journey. The group launched in August 2023, and she has been co-president since May 2024. She also holds numerous leadership positions in UMSOM’s chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS), which advocates for compassionate care in the medical profession, and is on the Wellness Subcommittee of GHHS’ National Advisory Council.
“Nicol’s ethos on connecting with and supporting others demonstrates the highest standard of collegiality and professionalism that we foster at UMSOM,” said Elizabeth M. Lamos, MD, associate professor, Department of Medicine, and assistant dean of student affairs at UMSOM. “She has demonstrated leadership, academic excellence, and an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.”
Extracurricular Activities
Launching the Peer Support Network is merely the tip of the iceberg in measuring Tugarinov’s impact at UMSOM. She is a standout student, receiving honors in all of her pre-clerkship courses and clinical rotations, and was recognized as a UMSOM PRISM Scholar in 2022 for an outstanding research initiative that earned her a competitive eight-week funded summer externship.
She has authored or co-authored eight journal articles, made 15 poster or oral presentations, and participated in research projects on topics such as benign gastric outlet obstruction, prenatal neurological abnormalities and postnatal outcomes, and the impact of accountability with mindfulness practices in medical students. She also has attended conferences across the country to present her research and devoted countless hours to UMSOM’s Admissions Committee as an interviewer and screener and to the Liaison Committee on Medical Education as a subcommittee member.
Tugarinov aims to foster a diverse population in the medical field, advocating for women in medicine and students with disabilities. She has promoted reproductive rights as co-president of Medical Students for Choice, been a hospice volunteer at the Jewish Social Service Agency, and focused on students’ mental health as a wellness representative to UMSOM’s Student Government Association.
“Balancing the demanding workload of medical school with extracurricular activities and leadership roles is certainly a challenge, but I find it immensely rewarding,” she said. “My motivation comes from the inspiring energy of my peers and my genuine desire to create a positive impact within our community. Whether I am mentoring fellow students, organizing events, or engaging in community outreach, I feel really fulfilled knowing that my efforts can support others.”
Marissa Flaherty, MD, assistant professor, Department of Psychiatry, and also an assistant dean of student affairs, has seen the impact of Tugarinov’s efforts firsthand and offered a letter of recommendation in her Student of the Year nomination.
“Nicol is an incredibly compassionate and driven student. It has been a true joy to see her passion and dedication to the medical field blossom,” Flaherty said. “Tugarinov’s dedication to improving other’s lives through supporting their health is evident through her work, research, volunteer work, and leadership.
“She has demonstrated a strong desire to make the medical community and world more diverse, inclusive, and equitable. Each step of the way, Nicol has had a smile on her face to brighten the day of those around her and a listening ear to support the difficult times those around her might encounter.”
Lamos offered high praise, as well.
“Nicol’s strong medical knowledge and ability to translate this knowledge into practice is evident from her academic performance and the clinical evaluations she has received,” Lamos said. “She is known for her clinical insight and judgment, her compassionate and caring bedside manner, and her valuable contributions as a clinical team member.
“I have no doubt that she will continue to make significant contributions to our community and in her future career in medicine.”
Looking Ahead
That future includes a residency placement after Tugarinov graduates from UMSOM in May 2025. She is applying for a residency in internal medicine and anticipates “an exhilarating whirlwind” of applications and interviews over the next several months before finding out the next stop on her professional and personal journey.
“On Match Day in late March, I will discover where I’ll be spending the next three years of my residency training, and I’m incredibly excited about this new chapter,” said Tugarinov, who earned her bachelor’s degree in pharmacology from McGill University in Montreal. “While I’m eagerly anticipating this next step, I also feel a bittersweet sentiment knowing that my time in medical school is drawing to a close.
“After graduation, I plan to fully immerse myself in my internal medicine residency, focusing on developing my clinical skills, expanding my medical knowledge, and exploring potential subspecialties within the field. Regardless of the path I choose, I see myself thriving in an academic setting, as medical education, teaching, and scholarly inquiry are integral to my aspirations.”
As for the Student of the Year honor, Tugarinov said it “felt incredibly surreal” to receive a call from UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, with news of the award.
“Being nominated for UMB Student of the Year was already a significant honor, but to actually win it among so many future professionals dedicated to making a positive impact on the world is truly humbling,” Tugarinov said. “It was immensely rewarding to celebrate this achievement with those who have supported my journey and witnessed my growth throughout medical school.
“I am deeply grateful and honored to receive this award, which reflects not only my accomplishments but also the encouragement and belief of those who have rooted for my success along the way.”
For more information on UMB’s annual celebration and associated events, please check out the Founders Week website.