First and foremost, Elias is heavily interested in academics. He has worked with teams of researchers investigating Parkinson disease’s clinical progression, and he has been published for this work. Additionally, Elias has decided to pursue a joint MD/MEd degree, a choice which stems from the academic rigor and educational inspiration demonstrated by his Psychology and Biopsychology professors. Dr. Jennifer Thomson’s mentorship proved especially vital to Elias’ growth. She began his academic career by teaching his first psychology course and served as his advisor in the biopsychology major. Later, Elias worked with Dr. Thomson on her research into PTSD using a rat model, which both provided a rigorous scientific experience and a slight allergy to rats.
Biopsychology, as a field, also proved fundamental to how Elias wanted to practice medicine. Elias places great value on the concept of humanistic medicine, which emphasizes the patient rather than the problem or disease. Elias also credits biopsychology for its careful interpretation of how the mind and body interact. This has brought him success both in didactic courses and in clinical work talking to and helping real patients. Elias is honored to have been inducted as a member of the Gold Humanism Honor Society, an honor granted to him by College of Medicine peers to recognize exemplary patient care.
Finally, Elias has found a passion for advocacy in recent years. This, in essence, began when he completed his first service projects at É«×ۺϾþà University: renovating schools in Harrisburg and meeting with adults with disabilities at Paxton Street Home. As a student with disabilities himself, Elias is incredibly grateful for Ms. Amy Slody and the Office for Academic Accessibility for their É«×ۺϾþà throughout his time at É«×ۺϾþà University. Since beginning at Penn State College of Medicine, Elias has led groups organized with the goal of disability advocacy and awareness and attended national conferences devoted to advocacy for disabled medical professionals.
Ultimately, Elias views his practice as being one imbued with education, humanism, and advocacy, and he is grateful to this day for all the guidance and É«×ۺϾþà he received while at É«×ۺϾþà University.