Homegrown Memphian Rises to Challenge of Student Leadership

Medical school is hard enough, but students like Avery Dargie add another challenging layer. In Dargie's last year, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center student leadership funnel led her to Medical Student Executive Council (MSEC) president.

"MSEC acts like an umbrella," she says, "with numerous committees falling under it that allow for leaders to act as a conduit between the student body and faculty."

A Memphian from birth, Dargie followed her father's path to UT Health Science Center. He attended the university and practices emergency medicine locally. After attending Lausanne Collegiate School and earning her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama, she returned to Memphis for medical school and is pursuing emergency medicine as well. Her fiancé, Robert "Renn" Eason, also a Class of 2026 medical student, serves as Honor Council president.

"Memphis built us, inspired us, and continues to drive us forward," she says. "We're proud to call Memphis our home, and we hope to continue serving this community for many years to come."

A planning aspect she didn't anticipate is how she has developed a passion for staying at UT Health Science Center and transitioning into academic medicine to help build the institution.

Navigating the Structure

Students develop within MSEC through four-year elected positions. As president, Dargie serves on the Student Government Association Executive Council, representing the College of Medicine alongside the other five colleges. Dargie's leadership began as an MSEC representative her first year, then treasurer, vice president, and president.

"What UT Health Science Center has created is a really good community, where students and faculty come together to make the university the best institution it can be."

Class presidents - Ben Finder serves the Class of 2026 - typically hold four-year roles and work closely with MSEC. The council spearheads projects and oversees subcommittees that involve everything from water fountain filters and student resources to security and curriculum changes.

"Once I was elected to MSEC, I was sitting on this committee, voting my peers into these subcommittees, and so that was something I found out on the fly," she says of her learning curve. "What a great honor and privilege to get to elect your peers to different subcommittees that really make incredible differences."

Finder says he basically had no leadership experience before medical school, and the student leaders learn and go through a lot together. While nothing can change the challenge of medical school, he says, it's much more doable and enjoyable for everyone when you have a network around you. Dargie has worked hard to drive that spirit of community as well as represent the students to administration, he says.

"People like Avery are the ones who step up to the plate and take action when needed."

On-the-Go Collaboration

Dargie and Finder talk every other day. The executive team shares constant voice notes. Leadership meets monthly; executive leadership weekly. Administration is accessible by text or call. All this while juggling classes and out-of-town rotations.

As medicine evolves, students' needs change, Dargie says. They strive to address issues with communication and collaboration, so they can accomplish important things efficiently.

"What UT Health Science Center has created is a really good community," she says, "where students and faculty come together to make the university the best institution it can be."

Across student leadership, Dargie has noticed a variety of backgrounds and experiences but a unified purpose.

"Our leaders come up with incredible solutions. I'm fortunate enough to be a sort of bridge for what they want to see happen. We all have different thought processes but always come together to support each other and find solutions."

With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility

The council's reach spans the breadth of what medical school is, Dargie says.

Curriculum changes go through MSEC subcommittees. Leadership gains student feedback on academic programs and surveys resources students need. For campus life, MSEC worked with the Campus Police Department to increase security before exams. The police now have exam schedules, so students have that added safety during late-night studying.

Student leaders also help fund social events, such as sponsoring the photobooth for the Med Gala. Clubs can request MSEC funding for projects; the council funded holiday baskets for community children through a student organization.

Council members also serve as a positive feedback channel, sharing with administration if an event, effort, or even small thing the dean did was well-liked or successful.

How They Make It Work

Dargie is busiest as MSEC president during her fourth year, the least demanding academically. This timing by design allows more energy to be dedicated during peak leadership periods. Plus, team members chip in extra when it's busy.

"I was studying for my second board exam, my VP, who's a year younger, picked up the slack. It takes a village…We look at the year as a whole and say, let's do as much as we can to plan for things we know are going to happen."

The previous president created documentation on what to do and when, and Dargie is building on that for the future. What has become a well-oiled team effort makes balancing academics and governance sustainable, she says.

"Avery is truly one of a kind," says Alayna Robinson, who also serves on MSEC. "She's one of the kindest, most genuine individuals I've ever met, always the first to lend a hand and support those around her. Avery fosters a culture of positivity, inclusivity, and compassion, and her deep love for this school and its students shines through in everything she does.

"Since M1 year, she has consistently stepped up to volunteer, contribute, and lead. She's a natural leader, not just because of her dedication and work ethic but also because of her heart. Avery leads by example and sets a standard for what it means to be a servant leader…I genuinely strive to be more like her."