Krolikowski Named a Pisacano Scholar

Allana Krolikowski, Class of 2011, is one of five students nationwide to receive a Pisacano Scholarship, given to outstanding medical students who have made a commitment to enter the specialty of family medicine.

In addition to demonstrating a strong commitment to family medicine, Pisacano Scholars must possess leadership skills, superior academic achievement, strong communication skills, and a record of community service.

“I selected family medicine because of the breadth of medical and social issues, continuity of patient care, and comprehensive training to take care of patients, families, and communities,” says Krolikowski. “My goal as a physician is to work in underserved areas due to the enormous need and because I enjoy working within these communities.”

Krolikowski graduated summa cum laude from UB with a bachelor of science in biomedical sciences and a bachelor of arts in Spanish.

While studying abroad during her senior year, she interned for two months at a hospital in Cuernavaca, Mexico, where she assisted in the operating room and emergency department. Upon graduation, she served as a volunteer, staffing and organizing a medical clinic for the indigenous population in Palenque, Mexico.

Since beginning medical school, Krolikowski has volunteered with and now coordinates a malaria program in Nyamuswa, Tanzania, distributing mosquito nets and assisting with community education on malaria. Between her first and second years of medical school, she took a year off to re-evaluate her career plans. During this time she returned to Tanzania and worked in the front office of Jericho Road Family Practice in Buffalo.

After returning to medical school, Krolikowski conducted a chart review of patients with hepatitis B who were followed by the practice and later presented her results to the providers. This led the Burmese community in Buffalo to request further education on this disease.

As an advocate for health-care reform, Krolikowski has made several presentations encouraging other medical students to become more involved in learning about health policy and advocacy. She also has provided commentary on local radio, lobbied her representatives in Congress and participated in rallies for health-care reform.

For her academic achievement and community involvement in medical school, Krolikowski was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha and the Gold Humanism Honor Society.

Once she completes her education and training, Krolikowski plans to work in the U.S., Africa, and Latin America and to continue her advocacy for health-care reform.