Yevgeniy Zhivotovskiy, a fourth-year medical student at the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM), has been chosen to intern with NASA at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas. The internship, scheduled to commence in April 2024 and lasting for four weeks, represents a unique opportunity for Zhivotovskiy, who is set to graduate from ARCOM in May.
Zhivotovskiy, currently serving in the Navy and accepted into a Family Medicine Residency at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, has expressed his interest in potentially pursuing a career as a Naval Flight Surgeon, followed by an Aerospace Medicine Fellowship. Despite his military commitments, he couldn’t pass up the chance to apply for the NASA internship.
To secure his spot in the program, Zhivotovskiy submitted a comprehensive application, which included a recommendation letter from Dr. Shannon Jimenez, Dean of ARCOM.
The Aerospace Medicine Clerkship, offered twice annually in April and October, provides participants with formal lectures on space medicine topics, hands-on experience with the medical aspects of International Space Station operations, and insights into Exploration Medical Capability for deep space exploration. Zhivotovskiy and the other selected students are required to complete a research project and scientific poster, presenting their findings in an open forum poster session for the JSC Space Medicine Operations and clinical community, as well as other interested divisions/elements at JSC.
“My primary career goal has always been to become a competent and compassionate primary care physician. I believe that the NASA internship will enable me to connect with leaders in the medical community and gain a deeper understanding of Aerospace Medicine. I am thrilled to have this unique opportunity to contribute to the field of space medicine and further my understanding of aerospace healthcare. This experience aligns with my long-term goals of becoming a well-rounded primary care physician,” Zhivotovskiy stated.
“Student Doctor Yevgeniy’s achievement reflects not only his academic excellence but also his unwavering commitment to advancing the field of medicine,” Dr. Jimenez said. “As a future primary care physician, Yevgeniy embodies the values of compassion and competence that we instill in our students at ARCOM.”
Only a maximum of 20 students were selected for this prestigious internship, making Zhivotovskiy’s achievement even more noteworthy. His internship at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center is an exciting step in his journey toward achieving his career aspirations.
Since its establishment in 2014, Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) has consistently been an agent of positive change in the state of Arkansas. The ACHE campus has evolved with the development of five crucial programs: the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM), School of Physical Therapy (ACHE PT), School of Occupational Therapy (ACHE OT), Master of Science in Biomedicine (MSB), and Master of Public Health (MPH). Adding to the institution’s impressive offerings is the ACHE Research Institute Health & Wellness Center (RIHWC), a 317,000 square-foot facility that opened its doors in March 2022, providing a diverse range of classes.
