My name is Ryan Cannon-Scott. I am Director of Marketing for the PASS Program. Over the past six years, I have worked to help to promote the PASS Program to medical students looking for help in passing their medical boards. I received my B.S. in Psychology and my M.A. in Human Service Administration, from Bradley University. I have worked around medicine most of my life. I first began working as a receptionist in high school at Dr. Francis’ pediatrics clinic in Peoria, IL! Nearly fifteen years later, I still run into patients of Dr. Francis who are just as crazy about him now as they were back then. From there I spent time working in child welfare and drug and alcohol counseling.
As a case manager at an AIDS service organization, I worked with HIV+ individuals and their families to advocate for services they needed. I switched to the prevention side and became Coordinator of the Education and Outreach Program, offering counseling, testing and a myriad of other prevention services. I continue to volunteer my time to help prevent the spread of HIV and to help young people make the best choices for their future. My program, AZIZZI Girls, helps to educate young women of color about their bodies, their choices, and seeks to help them reach their full potential in life while avoiding many of the pitfalls that are all too common amongst our youth.
One of the best parts of my job with PASS Program is all of the community service projects we are involved in. I help to manage our corporate giving program, and in the last year alone we have provided 70 families with Thanksgiving meals, 40 kids with new coats and shoes for the school year, and have supported local after-school programs. There is nothing like seeing a young child’s face light up when they see someone with no “obligation” doing something kind for them. It is our mission at PASS Program to serve our community, but to also inspire the many doctors who pass through our doors to do the same. We are the village.
Another great part of my job is traveling all over the country and beyond to speak to medical students and educate them about our program. Almost everywhere I go, I run into former PASS students who came to us in despair, but who now have incredible stories of success, confidence, and triumph to share.
It makes my job that much easier to have such great advocates for our program. I encourage you, if you are a former student, to share your stories with us on Facebook, sending a video or an email to info@passprogram.net.
It is so exciting to be around so many passionate people who are helping students achieve their goals, sometimes, against all odds. I feel very privileged to be a part of the PASS Program family and I wish everyone could have the experience of being inside these walls. You will walk away changed in some way, for the better. You will be challenged in new ways, you will find a new confidence, or you will meet incredible people with incredible stories to share, and hopefully all of the above. 2012 is going to be a great year for PASS program and we are working hard to bring you even better services. Next up, we’ll post a great article with advice from Dr. Francis himself.
