Mohsen Zakaib
Hometown: Winston-Salem, NC
Career interests: Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Critical Care, Trauma Surgery
Hobbies: Sports, working out, hiking, scuba diving, studying comparative religion, analyzing the deeper
meanings of movies and shows
Education: Undergraduate: B.S in Nuclear Engineering, Minor, Physics and Anthropology, North Carolina State University
M.S. in Nuclear Engineering, North Carolina State University
Post-Bacc in Pre-medical Sciences, University of North Carolina, Greensboro
B.A. in Islamic Studies, Mishkah University
Enrichment Experiences
Schweitzer Fellowship Program, 2024 Fellow
As part of my Brody Enrichment Project and Schweitzer Fellowship, my colleague Aliyah Young and I co-founded HealthPals, a dedicated initiative aimed at enhancing medical literacy among refugee populations in Greenville, NC, while also addressing their non-medical needs, such as English language learning. This experience has provided us with the opportunity to engage with a remarkable group of individuals, learning from their challenges and experiences while serving an underserved community. To date, we have organized a free eye clinic in collaboration with the In Her Vision Foundation, conducted workshops on health basics and U.S. insurance, and hosted a park walk and picnic for refugee families. The generous grant from the Brody Foundation has been instrumental in covering costs associated with transporting the mobile eye clinic, providing emergency health kits and water bottles, and supplying back-to-school bags and supplies for children. This project has been made possible through the invaluable support of the Interfaith Refugee Ministry, Islamic Association of Eastern North Carolina, and St.Timothy’s Episcopal Church.
LINC Scholar: Medical Assistant at Premier Health Center
During my tenure as a medical assistant at Premier Health Center, a primary care and pain management clinic, I acquired essential skills that will be foundational throughout my medical career. I gained experience in triage services, assessing patient conditions, and prioritizing care. Additionally, I developed internal training documents for clinic procedures and protocols, and collaborated with interdisciplinary medical teams to ensure the delivery of
high-quality patient care. My time at Premier Health Center deeply impacted my understanding of the opioid crisis in rural America, witnessing firsthand the struggles of hardworking individuals seeking treatment for unintended addiction. One of my most cherished memories is witnessing the progress of patients as their pain management therapy advanced, seeing the joy and relief that returned to their lives and those of their families. These experiences have fueled my commitment to serving underserved communities throughout my medical journey.
Youth Specialist and Project Manager at IAR, The Light House Project, and the Community Mosque of Winston-Salem
One of my most rewarding experiences has been serving as a youth specialist, manager, and mentor for various organizations within my community. At the Light House Project, an initiative founded in honor of Our Three Winners, I served as the youth specialist, where I organized over 100 programs and played a key role in the largest third-party interfaith food drive for the North Carolina Food Bank. Additionally, I founded and developed the RISE initiative at the Islamic Association of Raleigh (IAR), which focuses on creating community and connecting college students and young professionals to the Muslim community. During my time at IAR, I helped launch the largest youth event at the time in North Carolina, attracting over 500 participants, and facilitated one of the largest college Muslim Student Association (MSA) collaboration events in the state. At the Community Mosque of Winston-Salem, I established the Let’s Get Real (LGR) youth program, offering free activities and services to the youth in the community. I intend to continue my involvement in youth initiatives during my medical school years, contributing wherever possible.
Clinical Research
In the summer of 2024, I started a research project focusing on hospital outcomes associated with spinal injuries sustained during aquatic activities. Under the mentorship of Dr. Tumin and Em Long-Mills, I have gained significant insights into the research process, statistical analysis methods, and manuscript editing. We are excited to expand our team by including physicians who can contribute valuable expertise to our research.
Refugee Medical Mentorship Initiative
○ Along with a group of dedicated premedical candidates, I co-founded the Refugee
Medical Mentorship Initiative. This organization aims to mentor and assist refugees interested in pursuing medical careers. We have developed resources for academic, volunteer, and work opportunities along with one-on-one mentorship with refugee high school and college students.
Upcoming Plans
In the coming year, I am committed to excelling in my didactic medical training, culminating in
the successful completion of Step 1. I also plan to continue advancing the HealthPals initiative as part of my Brody Scholars Enrichment and Schweitzer Fellowship Projects, further serving the refugee community in Greenville. Additionally, I aim to establish the first Muslim Medical Student Association (MMSA) at Brody School of Medicine, providing an inclusive space for students to learn more about the Islamic faith and the unique medical needs of the Muslim population in clinical settings. Lastly, I will continue my research on hospital outcomes related to spinal injuries sustained during aquatic activities.