Zachary D Hale
Class Of 2013

Hometown: Tallahassee, FL
Originally from: Tallahassee, FL

Undergraduate Degree: University Of Florida

Zach graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in integrative biology and a minor in chemistry. While at the University of Florida, Zach was very involved in campus life. He guided outdoor adventure excursions with the Travel and Recreation Program (TRiP), was an official ambassador to the university through Florida Cicerones, and was an active member of Habitat for Humanity. Zach studied the dynamics of retinal protein, arrestin, while conducting research in the Shands Hospital Ophthalmology Department. Additionally, he participated in numerous clinical volunteering experiences at Shands Hospital. The clinical experience most influential to guiding his career was volunteering as a Spanish medical interpreter for migrant farm workers in Valdosta, Ga. After seeing the tremendous disparity of care in this underserved demographic and the huge impact of treatment, Zach solidified his resolve to study medicine. He chose the Florida State University College of Medicine because of its intimate, supportive environment, biopsychosocial model, and mission to produce patient-centered physicians.