Maxine
Kugelmas,
BS
Medical Student, Health & Wellness Committee Chair
Wayne State University
Maxine Kugelmas, BS is a second-year medical student at Wayne State University School of Medicine with a strong interest in pediatrics. She currently serves as Chair of the Health and Wellness Committee and as a Site Coordinator for Fresh Rx, a community-based nutrition initiative. Maxine is committed to advancing health equity and community engagement through both clinical practice and advocacy.
Presenting at the Nexus Summit:
BackgroundMedical school is intensely challenging—academically, emotionally, and socially—with the post-COVID shift to virtual learning only deepening students’ struggles. Nationally, medical students report higher rates of anxiety, depression, burnout, and suicidal ideation (up to 11%) compared to age-matched peers. The LCME now requires schools to maintain “an effective system of counseling services that promote [student] well-being.” While recent studies suggest student-led wellness initiatives are among the most effective, few medical schools assess structured peer support models.Med2Med…