2025 Kayla Nicole Schwartz Award: Tomas Cakulev
We are excited to announce the recipient of the 2025 Kayla Nicole Schwartz Award: Tomas Cakulev!
The Kayla Nicole Schwartz Award is given to a young person who exemplifies the spirit of Kayla, a dedicated MedWish volunteer who loved going on medical brigades to provide healthcare to those in need. The KK Free Spirit Fund was established in memory of Kayla by her family after she died in Mexico in 2017. Proceeds from the fund support international shipments of medical supplies and equipment and sponsor a medical brigade trip for the winner of the Kayla Nicole Schwartz Award.
Tomas was a volunteer at this past summer’s medical brigade in Honduras. He impressed the medical team with his devotion to the hundreds of people they served. Here’s what Tomas has to say about his experience.
“I was drawn to the Honduras brigade because I wanted to explore global health on a hands-on scale and immerse myself in a culture and healthcare system very different from my own. I study Neuroscience and Global Health Anthropology at Dartmouth College, and this experience felt like a natural extension of both my academic and personal interests. I hoped it would be eye-opening, not only by showing me how healthcare is delivered in another part of the world but also by helping me better understand the cultural contexts that shape care. For me, the brigade was a step toward the kind of work I hope to continue doing in the future, combining medicine with cross-cultural engagement and a commitment to making healthcare more accessible globally.
My family background has played a big role in shaping my passion for diverse cultures and international experiences. My mom is from Italy, and my dad is from Macedonia, so I grew up with a deep appreciation for different traditions and perspectives. That upbringing naturally fostered my interest in global work, and more recently I have been working with MedWish Medworks to coordinate medical shipments for public hospitals in Macedonia. It has been meaningful to connect my personal roots with my professional goals and to contribute to healthcare access in a place that is part of my family story.”
Well said, Tomas! We can’t wait to see where you go from here.
If you are interested in supporting the KK Free Spirit Fund, you may do so HERE.
