Recent graduate recognized for leadership in medical school

Shannon Brockman, RD, MD ’15, plans to have a big impact on medicine.

By: Christine Boatwright
Shannon Brockman in white U.S. Navy uniform

Shannon Brockman, RD, MD ’15. Photo by Jesse S. Jones

Shannon Brockman, RD, MD ’15, plans to have a big impact on medicine, not only for her pediatric patients but also for health care as a whole.

Brockman, a recent graduate of the UF College of Medicine, comes from a line of Florida State University graduates. She studied dietetics in Tallahassee before becoming a registered dietitian and beginning medical school at UF.

“It was hard for me because I am a Seminole,” Brockman said with a laugh. “I definitely was looking for a medical institution that was student-centered because that’s how my experience was at Florida State. I knew that outside of the classroom was where I did my best learning, and where I got hands-on leadership development and life-skill development.”

For Brockman, the UF College of Medicine’s extracurricular activities, such as the Equal Access Clinic and opportunities to travel to national conferences, helped make UF her medical career “launching point.”

“When I came here for my interview and Second Look, it was really poignant to me how much of a family it is and how good of a support system the students have with the administration and the faculty,” she said.

After launching her career in pediatric medicine, Brockman will spend four additional years serving her country through the U.S. Navy. As a member of the U.S.N. Health Professions Scholarship Program, Brockman’s passion for leadership and advocacy pairs well with the military path.

“It offers some really unique opportunities in humanitarian medicine and in travel and adventure,” Brockman said. “Beyond that, to me, it’s about the leadership development and what it invests in you to become a leader in the field.”

During her last year of medical school, the Florida Board of Medicine recognized Brockman for her leadership and academic success with its Chairman’s Recognition Award. The board encourages medical schools to nominate one medical student for the award.

“I can simply say that Shannon is an outstanding student who is well-regarded by her classmates. She is admired for her humility, kindness, altruism and grace,” said Patrick Duff, MD, associate dean for student affairs. “She also has taken a major step that most young adults are very hesitant to take — namely, she has volunteered to serve in the United States Navy after graduating from medical school.”