Student Doctor Kimberly Flores, OMS II, has been named the 2025 Student Doctor of the Year (SDOY) for the Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) Harrogate campus. Flores, a first-generation American citizen and college graduate, has been recognized for her exceptional leadership, dedication to health equity and commitment to the osteopathic principles of holistic and patient-centered care.
The announcement that Flores was selected as SDOY was shared by LMU-DCOM’s Student Government Association (SGA) 2nd Vice President, Samaria Elder. “Congratulations to Kimberly Flores on this well-earned honor! We wish her the very best as she represents us and competes against other Student Doctor of the Year winners at the national level,” she wrote. “The decision was a challenging one, and we commend the commitment that each nominee demonstrated. Kimberly’s accomplishments truly exemplify what it means to be a leader in the osteopathic field.”
Flores’ path to LMU-DCOM began when she left her hometown of Mission Viejo, California, to attend Purdue University-Fort Wayne on a soccer scholarship. There she earned a Bachelor of Science in biology, an Associate of Science in chemical methods and a biology research certificate. She continued her academic journey at LMU, first obtaining a Master of Science in biomedical sciences before enrolling in medical school.
“I first visited the school with my now fiancé, Zac Kaiser, OMS IV, when he was first accepted. At the end of his tour, I found out about the Master of Science program LMU offered. I was so impressed by everything from the beautiful setting to the amazing people. I began my application that same day,” she recalled. “While the MS program was incredibly challenging at times, the people made it all worthwhile. I was meeting professors who cared about me and went out of their way to help me succeed. At the end of the program, I knew I wanted to attend LMU-DCOM. Maintaining these personal and professional relations was very important to me. To think that this all began with a tour that wasn’t even intended for me is so surreal.”
Flores said her path to medical school was shaped by overcoming barriers and navigating unfamiliar systems. At just 12 years old, she was thrust into the role of interpreter during a medical emergency involving her grandmother. This pivotal experience shaped her desire to improve health care accessibility for non-English-speaking patients.
“Unfortunately, this is not an unfamiliar situation for most first-generation citizens. I wanted better for those in similar situations,” she explained. “Anyone seeking healthcare is in a vulnerable position. Being able to communicate their needs and navigate a complex system is essential. I know firsthand how intimidating the healthcare system can be, so I do my best to make sure patients feel more comfortable. This complexity has led to Hispanics and others not always seeking care even when they need it. From my experience, they only seek care when absolutely necessary.”
These experiences have inspired her professional interests in surgery, OB/GYN, emergency medicine and family medicine where she can actively address health care disparities and offer bilingual support to underserved communities.
Throughout her time at LMU-DCOM, Flores has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and service. As Co-Director of the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) Southeastern Region and a National Board Member, Flores spearheaded initiatives such as scholarships for underserved communities, regional and national conferences and the establishment of LMSA PLUS undergraduate chapters.
She has also served as the Diversity Chair for the Student Government Association where she founded the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) program at LMU-DCOM, granting distinction hours to students promoting inclusivity and cultural awareness in medicine.
Flores has presented extensively on research topics ranging from COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy to herb-drug interactions. Her work has been showcased at national conferences and is currently under journal review.
As a student ambassador and tutor, Flores has also supported prospective and current students, fostering a culture of encouragement and academic excellence at LMU-DCOM.
“Kimberly Flores embodies the qualities of an exceptional osteopathic physician-in-training,” said Dr. Christopher Loyke, LMU-DCOM Dean and Chief Academic Officer. “Her dedication to service, research and advocacy exemplifies the highest ideals of our profession. We are incredibly proud to celebrate her as the 2025 Student Doctor of the Year.”
Flores credits her success to the unwavering support of her family, friends, mentors and the LMU-DCOM community. “The DCOM faculty, administration and friends have made this place my home. I would not have been able to be the person that I have grown into without my amazing support system,” she explained.
As she continues her journey toward becoming an osteopathic physician, Flores remains committed to her mission of improving health care accessibility and fostering equity in medicine.
“Being named the 2025 Student Doctor of the Year is an incredibly meaningful honor to me, both personally and professionally. This recognition represents all of the dedication, perseverance and passion I have poured into my journey as an osteopathic medical student,” Flores said. “[It] motivates me to mentor others, foster inclusive environments and champion patient-centered approaches that reflect the core principles of osteopathic medicine.”
The DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine is located on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, and at LMU-Knoxville in Knoxville, Tennessee. LMU-DCOM is an integral part of LMU’s values-based learning community and is dedicated to preparing the next generation of osteopathic physicians to provide health care in the often-underserved region of Appalachia and beyond. For more information about LMU-DCOM, call 1.800.325.0900, ext. 7082, email dcom@LMUnet.edu, or visit us online at http://med.LMUnet.edu.
