College of Medicine – Tucson undergrad will be recognized at U of A Commencement

Grant Palmer, who is graduating summa cum laude with honors from the College of Medicine – Tucson with a Bachelor of Science in medicine and a minor in biochemistry, has received the Provost Award and will be one of seven graduating seniors recognized by the University of Arizona during Commencement for their extraordinary accomplishments in and out of the classroom.

Image

The Provost Award goes to an outstanding graduating student who transferred to the university from an Arizona community college. The award recognizes perseverance and commitment to academic studies, contributions to the university community, and above-average scholastic ability, citizenship and leadership.

Palmer was raised in rural Arizona, where he developed an early understanding of the health care disparities facing underserved communities — an experience that shaped both his academic path and his long-term commitment to rural medicine.

Palmer began his higher education at Eastern Arizona College, where he graduated with a 4.0 GPA and was named a First-Tier All-Arizona Academic Team member and Coca-Cola Gold Academic Team Scholar. After transferring to the University of Arizona, he continued his record of academic excellence, maintaining a 4.0 GPA while balancing rigorous coursework, research, leadership and employment as a nationally registered EMT.

Throughout his time at the university, Palmer has remained dedicated to serving underserved populations across Arizona. As an EMT in the Gila Valley, and previously with San Carlos Apache EMS/Fire, he has provided emergency care in rural and tribal communities where access to health care is often limited, including assisting with response efforts during the 2024 San Carlos Watch Fire. His clinical work reflects a strong commitment to communities that face geographic and economic barriers to care.

Palmer is bilingual in English and Spanish and incorporates his language skills into his service work. As a leader with Street Medicine Tucson, he supports outreach efforts for unsheltered individuals while contributing to bilingual patient education and engagement. He also serves on the executive board of the Transfer Advisory Board of Students, where he mentors fellow transfer students and advocates for their academic success within the W. A. Franke Honors College.

Nominated by faculty members and peers, this year's student award winners were selected based on their determination, notable achievements and positive contributions to their families and communities. Student Affairs manages the application and nomination process for awardees and hosts a spring reception to celebrate their achievements.