From neighborhoods near USC to communities in Panama that can only be reached by boat, Jackson Fein has reached out to connect with those who need it most. Fein is graduating from the Keck School of Medicine of USC Master of Science in Global Medicine program’s clinical track, ready to learn more so that he can better serve others as a physician.

Fein is earning his second degree from USC, having graduated in 2018 with his bachelor’s degree in global health, also offered by the Keck School, where he earned the distinction as a Discovery Scholar. After completing his undergraduate degree, Fein turned to global medicine to teach him more about how to help people secure and maintain their health, even in resource-insecure areas.

Fein first was inspired to pursue a career as a physician and to practice internationally by the courage and ingenuity displayed by the medical volunteers in Africa during the 2014 Ebola crisis. Originally from Arizona, he has traveled as a representative of USC to England, Taiwan, and Panama. On his most recent journey, Jackson volunteered through the global medicine program with the organization Floating Doctors, which provides health care to indigenous groups in one of the most remote regions of Panama. Describing the experience, Fein said, “The opportunity in Panama proved to be the most rewarding part of my time as a global medicine student. It definitely strengthened my commitment to becoming a physician for the marginalized and underserved.”

In addition to his volunteer work abroad, Fein completed a research fellowship with Operation Smile through Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. He also volunteered with Science Outreach, an organization that teaches science to second and third graders in the community immediately surrounding USC.

Fein currently is planning to enroll as a first-year medical student at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in the fall, where he will continue to pursue his academic and career interests in working with children and the medically underserved.