Jonathan L. Martin is a nutrition and medical sciences major with a
minor in biological sciences and medical diagnostics. He volunteers
36–48 hours each week as an operations coordinator, quality assurance
officer and emergency medical technician (EMT) for the University of
Delaware Emergency Care Unit, a collegiate volunteer ambulance
organization (under the UD Police Department) that provides emergency
medical services for UD and the surrounding areas of Newark.
Additionally, he also serves as an EMT for Mill Creek Fire Company and
Aetna Hose, Hook, and Ladder Fire Company.
“As an experienced EMT, ambulance driver and member of the command
staff, I lead the 60 members of the University of Delaware Emergency
Care Unit (UDECU),” Martin said.
During his shifts, he acts as a field training officer, providing
teaching, advice, mentorship and sometimes comfort to newer student EMTs
during times of stress and uncertainty throughout their training
process.
“Jon has been a very active member [of the UDECU] operationally and
administratively, all while balancing the life of being a University
student,” said Robin Tsang, director of EMS at UDECU. “Jon has proven
that he is resourceful, passionate, focused and a vital asset to the
organization and its mission.”
Martin immersed himself in the UDECU in the height of the COVID-19
pandemic — instead of shying away from the added stress and risk while
facing an unpredictable virus during his college years, he faced it with
courageous service and remarkable leadership, as noted by Sandra Baker,
assistant professor of behavioral health and nutrition.
“Jon’s generosity of time and abilities is far reaching,” Baker said.
Martin became a Peer Mentor for an introductory course she teaches,
which consisted of 110 students. “He not only did an excellent job in
leading his mentor group which was challenging in a virtual format, he
was one of my ‘go-to’ Peer Mentors who was always willing to assist me
with additional tasks in order to make the class a good experience for
all students. I find Jon is able to be ‘others focused,’ which is a rare
quality in today’s world and one that will make him an excellent,
patient-centered physician and representative of UD.”
Martin has volunteered at Penn Medicine’s Lancaster General Hospital
where he shadowed several physicians in surgical, nephrology and
emergency room settings. He has been working closely with Sheau Ching
Chai, principal investigator of UD’s Chai Nutrition and Health Research
Laboratory, as he has pursued an Honors thesis for the last few years.
He also served the surrounding community through creating nutrition
resources for elderly Delawareans, working with groups to create
activities that will be used in 18 senior centers throughout the state.
In January 2020, Martin took his service and learning in the medical
field abroad as he studied international healthcare in Lisbon,
Portugal.
“This experience broadened his perspective and is undoubtedly one of
the reasons that he is a mature young man able to work with individuals
from a variety of backgrounds,” Baker said. “I believe he is prepared to
make an impact globally.”
Alisha Rovner, assistant professor of health sciences, said, “I have
interacted with thousands of undergraduate and graduate students, and
Jon is in the top 1% of all the students with whom I have worked in my
career. Although Jon’s academic accomplishments are noteworthy, what I
find the most impressive about him is the quality of his character. Jon
has a desire to give back to others.”
Martin is also involved in several campus organizations, including
pre-medical fraternity Phi Delta Epsilon and University of Delaware
Sports Performance Nutrition Center, where he assists UD athletes in
fueling properly for maximum performance. He also serves as a personal
tutor for the Office of Academic Enrichment and has represented the
nutrition and medical sciences major at UD’s Decision Days and Blue and
Gold Days on multiple occasions.
After graduating, Martin plans to attend medical school at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Jefferson University.
To learn more about the UD Alumni Association’s Warner and Taylor
Awards, past recipients, and more awards offered through the Office of
Development and Alumni Relations, visit the Scholarships and Awards webpage.