Although Dr. Nina Velasco Meer has no family connections or personal history tied to medicine, she felt its pull early on. She attended a medical professions magnet high school and then began following her dream to become a physician in emergency medicine, a field she describes as inspiring.

Nina Velasco Meer, M.D.

What this award means: I feel honored to have been recognized for my effort, sacrifices, and willingness to work with a team. This award emphasizes to me that I have picked the specialty that means the most to me, one that I feel devoted to putting my all into.

Mentor comment: Nina thoroughly deserves this award, given her strong dedication to the field as evidenced by her research involvement in the Emergency Department and her role as the Simulation Chair for the Emergency Medicine Interest Group. Moreover, she showed impressive knowledge and a hardworking attitude. She will undoubtedly become a leader in emergency medicine during her career, and her future patients will be lucky to have her as their physician. – Mary C. McHugh, M.D., Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and Clerkship Director

Background and family: My ethnicity is 50% Swiss on my mom’s side and 50% Mexican on my dad’s side. I was born in Mexico City and moved often: to Canada, back to Mexico’s capital, then to the U.S./Mexico border in Juarez, and finally to El Paso, Texas, at the age of 10, where my family still lives.

What led to your career path: Although I have no family in the medical field, I showed interest in medicine early. I attended a medical professions magnet high school, where I fell in love with the role of physician. Since then, my drive to help people has been focused on becoming a doctor. Emergency medicine felt the most inspiring to me: In the ER there is an incomparable sense of authenticity from the patient’s perspective and a drive to care for those in need.

College: At Cornell University, I majored in human biology, health, and society and minored in human development. I was a founding member of the Biomedical Engineering Project Group, a member of the Salsa Dancing Performance Group, Vice President of the Pre-Health Care Interest Group, and manager of the Robert Purcell Service Center.

UTSW activities: I served as Mentorship and Simulations Chair of the Emergency Medicine Interest Group, tutored embryology and microbiology, co-led our medical mission team to Guatemala, served as President of the Board Game Club, and volunteered with student-run free clinics.

Surprising fact: I have spent the last 13 years training in CrossFit and can deadlift 320 pounds.

Future plans: I plan to complete my residency training in emergency medicine at Cook County Health and Hospital System in Illinois, afterward possibly pursuing a fellowship in global health or medical education. I then plan to work in the community for a couple of years before ideally returning to a teaching institution.

About the award: The award is presented to a medical student who demonstrates excellence in emergency medicine, with special dedication to Texans who need emergency care.