[♪ THEME MUSIC ♪] >>> COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS ON OF LOCAL NEWS ON ARIZONA PBS, ON ARIZONA HORIZON, CONCERNS THAT THE STATE SENATE'S ATTEMPTED AUDIT HAS COMPROMISED MARICOPA COUNTY'S VOTING EQUIPMENT FOR FUTURE ELECTIONS.

TO DOOR TO EDUCATE FOLKS ON COVID, AND ON BREAK IT DOWN, THE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN BLACK AND ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER ACTIVISTS.

THAT'S ALL COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR ON ARIZONA PBS.

>>> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I'M TED SIMONS.

ARIZONA SECRETARY OF STATE KATIE HOBBS TODAY TOLD THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS THAT HER OFFICE MAY HAVE TO DECERTIFIED ELECTION EQUIPMENT USED IN THE SENATE'S REVIEW OF COUNTY ELECTION RESULTS.

HOBBS SAID THE LOSS OF PHYSICAL CUSTODY AND CONTROL OF THE EQUIPMENT MAKES IT UNSAFE TO USE.

THE COUNTY RESPONDED, QUOTE: WE ASK COUNTY RECORDER STEPHEN RICHER ABOUT THIS LATER IN THE SHOW >>> A GROUP CALLED AMERICAN OVERSIGHT FILED A LAWSUIT TO GAIN ACCESS OF ALL DOCUMENTS FROM THE AUDIT.

THE SUIT ALSO WANTED ALL RECORDS THAT SHOW WHAT THE AUDIT EFFORT IS COSTING AND WHO IS PAYING FOR IT.

>>> DEMOCRAT DANIEL HARNANDEZ IS RUNNING FOR CONGRESS.

HE WORKED FOR GABRIELLE GIFFORDS AND WAS CREDITED FOR HELPING SAVE HER LIFE WHEN SHE WAS SHOT 10 YEARS AGO.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN TODAY SIGNED A NEW HATE CRIMES LAW THAT AIMS TO MAKE REPORTING HATE CRIMES EASIER AND PUT RESOURCES INTO MONITORING AND PREVENTING THOSE CRIMES.

>> MY MESSAGE TO ALL OF THOSE THAT ARE HURTING IS WE SEE YOU, AND THE CONGRESS HAS SAID WE SEE YOU, AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO STOP THE HATRED AND THE BIAS.

>> THE HATE CRIMES BILL PASSED WITH OVERWHELMING SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

>>> MOST NURSING HOMES IN THE COUNTRY DEALT WITH SIGNIFICANT COVID-19 OUTBREAKS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THE REPORT COMES FROM ANALYZING MORE THAN 13,000 FACILITIES.

85% WENT THROUGH AT LEAST ONE OUTBREAK THAT LASTED FOR MORE THAN A MONTH.

>>> REPUBLICAN CRITICS OF THE STATE SENATE'S ATTEMPTED AUDIT OF MARICOPA COUNTY ELECTION RESULTS, HAVE BEEN FEW AND FAR BETWEEN, BUT REPUBLICAN COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE SPEAKING OUT AGAINST WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON AT THE COLISEUM.

THOSE OFFICIALS INCLUDE COUNTY RECORDER STEPHEN RICHER WHO JOINED US EARLIER TODAY IN STUDIO.

STEPHEN GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU BET YOU, YOU HAVE COME OUT STRONGLY AGAINST WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING AT THE COLISEUM, WHY IN >> JUST RECENTLY.

WHEN IT WAS LOOKING INTO MATTERS THAT WERE QUESTIONABLE, THAT WAS THEIR BUSINESS, BUT WHEN IT BECOME ACCUSATIONS FROM AN ANONYMOUSLY RUN TWITTER ACCOUNT THAT MY STAFF WAS VIOLATING THE LAW, THAT'S WHEN I HAD TO STEP IN.

>> THE SENATE PRESIDENT SAYS THE WORDS ARE HURTFUL.

SHE SAYS THIS IS NOT PERSONAL, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU GUYS ARE MAKING IT PERSONAL.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE FROM THAT?

>> FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, WE WERE GOING ALONG QUIETLY, SOMEWHAT HAPPILY, AND WE HAVE BEEN ACCUSED A FEW TIMES NOW, AND THESE HAVE BEEN INDULGED BY STATE SENATORS ALL FROM THE REPUBLICAN SIDE THAT MY OFFICE AND I AM VIOLATING THE LAW.

THOSE ACCUSATIONS NEED TO BE STOPPED.

>> THE SENATE PRESIDENT ALSO TOLD US HERE THAT SHE IS JUST RESPONDING TO CONSTITUENTS' CONCERNS; THAT SHE IS HEARING THINGS, THEY ARE HEARING THINGS, THEY JUST WANT TO FIND OUT MORE.

DOES SHE HAVE A POINT?

>> UNDOUBTEDLY.

YOU WOULD HAVE TO BE A BUFFOON TO NOT UNDERSTAND THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE QUESTIONS.

MY RESPONSE IS YOU CAN CONTINUE TO INDULGE THEM AND SAY THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING OUT THERE, OR YOU ARE SAY NO, THE DOE MINNIAN VOTING SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED AND ACCEPTED IN COURT.

>> WHY DO YOU THINK SO FEW, ESPECIALLY IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ARE NOT ABLE TO SAY NO?

>> BECAUSE IT'S -- IT'S UNPLEASANT IN MANY RESPECTS.

I HAVE HAD LOTS OF PEOPLE CONTACT ME IN THE RECENT DAYS, MOST OF THEM POSITIVE.

A LOT OF REPUBLICANS SAYING THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING OUT.

BUT I HAVE ALSO HAD A FEW FRIENDS SAY STEPHEN WHY ARE YOU DELETE DELETING THESE FILES?

WHY HAVE YOU BEEN BOUGHT OFF?

AND I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS NECESSARY TO DEFEND MY GOOD NAME AND THE GOOD NAME OF MY PEOPLE.

>> SOME ARE CALLING FOR A RECOUNT OF YOUR ELECTION WIN.

>> I THINK WE SHOULD START THERE.

BECAUSE MINE WAS THE CLOSEST RACE.

SO IF YOU ARE GOING TO CHOOSE A RACE, IT WOULD BE THE ONLY RACE IN WHICH I WON BY ABOUT 5,000 VOTES OUT OF 2 MILLION.

>> BUT YOU KNOW WHY YOUR RACE AND OTHER RACES IN THE COUNTY AREN'T BEING LOOKED AT, IS BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT SAID BEFORE THE ELECTION EVEN OCCURRED, IF I LOSE, IT IS GOING TO BE RIGGED.

CAN YOU SAY ANYTHING TO THOSE WHO FIRMLY BELIEVE REGARDLESS OF WHAT THIS SO-CALLED AUDIT FINDS THAT IT WAS A RIGGED ELECTION, AND THE VOTE WAS STOLEN.

>> YEAH, I DON'T KNOW WHY THE PRESIDENT SAID THAT, BECAUSE THE SAME SYSTEM GARNERED HIM VICTORY IN 2016 SEEMINGLY AGAINST ALL ODDS.

IF EVER THERE HAD BEEN A TIME TO CALL FRAUD, OR SAY SOMETHING IS BROKEN IN THE SYSTEM, IT IS WOULD HAVE BEEN THEN, BUT, YOU KNOW, PRESIDENT TRUMP IS ALREADY TEASING A 2024 RUN.

SO IF WE REALLY BELIEVES THAT, WHY WOULD HE BE GUNNING AGAIN?

AND SAME THING WITH SOME OF THE ARIZONA REPUBLICANS WHO ARE STATING SOME OF THIS.

>> SPEAKING OF FUTURE ELECTIONS.

ARIZONA SECRETARY OF STATE KATIE HOBBS SENT A LETTER SAYING SOME OF THIS EQUIPMENT IS BEING RETURNED.

SHE IS CONCERNED.

SHE THINKS THE EQUIPMENT CAN'T BE USED FOR FUTURE ELECTIONS, BECAUSE NO ONE KNOWS WHO HAS GOTTEN INTO IT AND HAS BEEN DONE.

DOES SHE HAVE A POINT?

>> SHE DOES.

WE WILL NOT USE EQUIPMENT THAT WE DO NOT HAVE 100% CONFIDENCE IN.

>> WILL YOU HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION TO KNOW, TO GET 100%?

>> WE'RE GOING TO BRING IN EXPERTS.

WE'RE GOING TO BRING IN THE MANUFACTURERS THEMSELVES.

WE'RE GOING TO BRING IN OUTSIDE COMPANIES, AND THEY WILL LOOK AT THINGS THAT I DON'T HAVE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT.

>> YOU THINK THE BALLOTS AND EQUIPMENT RIGHT NOW ARE SECURE?

>> YOU KNOW, I TOLD KEN BENNETT IN HIGH REGARD, AND HE HAS SAID THE BALLOTS ARE SECURE.

I HOPE THEY ARE.

SOME OF THE THINGS WE HAVE HEARD CAUSE WORRY.

I KNOW THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS OBSERVERS NOW, BUT NO, IT IS HIGHLY UNORTHODOX.

>> KEN BENNETT REFERS TO ARIZONA AT A SHIRER.

IT SOUNDS LIKE HE IS TALKING SAMPLING SIZE HERE.

>> OKAY.

>> IN LOOKING AT THE ELECTION, IN COUNTING VOTES AND BALLOTS AND SUCH, ARE SAMPLING SIZES AT RISK, AT FAULT, DO THEY NEED TO BE CHANGED?

>> SO, I'M AN ACADEMIC, LAWYER, AND BUSINESS PERSON, BUT I'M NOT A STATISTICIAN.

WHAT I'M TOLD IS THE NUMBER OF BALLOTS WE HAND COUNTED IS STATICICLY SIGNIFICANT, AND THAT NUMBER MATCHED 100% BY WHAT THE MACHINES READ.

AND THAT HAD BEEN APPROVED BY SEVERAL GROUPS.

NOW THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS LOOKING AT EXPANDING THAT FROM A 2% TO 5% NUMBER.

WHETHER THEY WILL CHOOSE TO DO THAT, I DON'T KNOW.

WE WILL COMPLY BY LAW, BUT WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY PROFESSIONAL STATISTICIANS THAT THAT HAND-COUNT AUDIT WAS SIGNIFICANT.

>> ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR POLITICAL FUTURE?

>> IT'S NOT MY PRIMARY CONCERN.

I WOULD HAVE TO BE A FOOL TO NOT UNDERSTAND THERE ARE RAMIFICATIONS.

I READ THEM ABOUT DAILY.

I GET EMAILS ABOUT THEM.

BUT ULTIMATELY, I HAVE TO DO WHAT I THINK IS RIGHT, AND WHAT IS RESPONSIBLE AS THE LEADER OF THIS TEAM, AND THE POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES BE WHAT THEY MAY.

>> LAST QUESTION, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO HEAR FROM THE SENATE?

>> I WANT THEM TO BE MORE RESPONSIBLE IN ANY ALLEGATIONS THAT THEY PUT FORWARD.

I DON'T WANT ANY ACCUSATIONS OF UNLAWFULNESS COMING OUT, UNLESS THEY ARE THOROUGHLY RESEARCHED, AND PREFERABLY AT THE CONCLUSION OF THEIR REPORT, AND I WANT THEM TO EMBRACE THAT THEY ARE PART OF THIS SYSTEM TOO.

THE REASON THEY HAVE AUTHORITY, THE REASON THEY ARE THERE, IS BECAUSE OF THIS SAME ELECTION SYSTEM, AN ELECTION SYSTEM THAT I PRESUME THEY ARE GOING TO RUN IN AGAIN IN 2022.

SO IF THEY PULL THE RUG OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE RECORDER'S OFFICE THEY ARE PULLING IT OUT FROM UNDER THEM AS WELL.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING >> AND UP NEXT, A CONVERSATION WITH STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION KATHY HOFFMAN.

>>> ED CAUTION LEADERS IN THE STATE ARE LOOKING BACK AT THE SCHOOL YEAR THAT IS NOW ENDING, AND LOOKING AHEAD TO HEADING BACK TO CLASSROOMS IN THE FALL.

EARLIER TODAY WE SPOKE WITH SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION KATHY HOFFMAN ABOUT A NUMBER OF EDUCATION ISSUES FACING THE STATE.

SUPERINTENDENT, GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

BEFORE WE GET INTO SOME MEAT AND POTATOES KIND OF STUFF, THE PANDEMIC, WHAT WAS LEARNED THIS SCHOOL YEAR THAT CAN BE TAKEN INTO THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR?

>> TO ME THE BIGGEST LESSON LEARNED WAS SURROUNDING THE DIGITAL DEVICE HERE IN ARIZONA.

AS SOON AS OUR SCHOOLS WERE TRANSITIONING TO REMOTE LEARNING, AND OUR TEACHERS WERE ENGAGING STUDENTS, IT WAS SHOCKING, IF NOT APPALLING TO REALIZE HOW FAR BEHIND ARIZONA IS COMPARED TO OTHER STATES AS FAR AS STUDENTS BEING ABLE TO ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN THEIR SCHOOL DURING THAT TIME OF REMOTE LEARNING.

I THINK WE HAVE A LOT OF LESSONS TO BE LEARNED THERE.

WE HAVE BEEN PARTNERING WITH TELECOME COMPANIES, LOOKING FOR WAYS TO MAKE INTERNET MORE AFFORDABLE, LOOKING FOR INNOVATIVE WAYS TO BRING BROADBAND TO MORE STUDENTS.

SO WE HAVE A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS THAT ARE REALLY EXCITING, AND WE'RE SEEING FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDS TO INVEST IN EXPANDING BROADBAND ACCESS, SO I THINK WE'RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE HYBRID TEACHING COULD STILL BE A FORCE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR?

>> I KNOW IT WILL BE FOR MANY REASONS.

THANKFULLY IT WILL NOT BE FORCED INTO THAT TYPE OF SITUATION WHERE OUR -- BECAUSE OF A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS IN A PANDEMIC, WE WILL NOT BE PUSHING OR REQUIRING ANYONE TO BE LEARNING FROM HOME, BUT WE ARE SEEING THAT SOME KIDS LEARN BETTER ONLINE, OR THEIR PARENTS PREFER THEIR METHOD OF LEARNING FOR MANY REASONS.

WE HAVE SEEN MANY OF OUR DISTRICTS AND CHARTERS GO THE DIRECTION OF HAVING AN IOI OPTION, WHICH MEANS THEY ARE CREATING A SEPARATE SYSTEM FOR STUDENTS WHO WANT TO LEARN ONLINE FOR FUTURE YEARS.

THERE IS LEGISLATION THAT WILL MAKE IT MORE FLEXIBLE FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN ONLINE, AND I THINK SOME FAMILIES WILL WANT THAT GOING FORWARD.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PROPOSED STATE BUDGET.

IT SOUNDS LIKE PROPONENTS OF THE PROPOSAL, THOSE OBLIGATIONS ARE MET.

THE TAX LIABILITY AND STRUCTURE, COMPLETELY DIFFERENT IN WHAT THEY WERE PUSHING FOR, BUT DID THE BUDGET ADDRESS ENOUGH OF EDUCATION'S CONCERNS?

>> DEFINITELY NOT.

I -- I MEAN, WE'RE STILL DOING OUR ANALYSES AND GETTING INTO THE WEEDS AT A HIGH LEVEL OF WHAT THE BUDGET INCLUDES, BUT I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FLAT TAX PROPOSAL, WHICH WOULD BE A MAJOR CUT TO OUR STATE REVENUE, WHICH WILL MAKE IT REALLY HARD FOR US TO FUND OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE KNOW THERE'S INCREASING NEEDS -- YOU KNOW, ARIZONA CONTINUES TO BE ONE OF THE LOWEST FUNDED IN TERMS OF PER-PUPIL SPENDING.

WE'RE STILL AMONG THE WORST WHEN IT COMES TO TEACHER PAY.

AND I WAS JUST TALKING ABOUT TECHNOLOGY.

WHEN WE HAVE MORE TECHNOLOGY IN OUR SCHOOLS, IT'S EXPENSIVE.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT COMPUTERS, SECURITY, THE TECHNOLOGIST, THE IT SPECIALISTS MAKING SURE EVERYTHING IS RUNNING, SO A LOT GOES INTO THAT, THAT OUR SCHOOLS PREVIOUSLY MAYBE DIDN'T HAVE AS MUCH OF A NEED FOR, AND WE'RE A STATE THAT WE DO NOT EVEN HAVE FUNDING FOR FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN, WE DO NOT FUND PRESCHOOL, AND EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

I FIND THESE DEFICITS TO BE REALLY EMBARRASSING FOR ARIZONA, SO NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO MAKE TAX CUTS, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE A SLAP IN THE FACE FOR ANYONE SUPPORTING THAT BILL.

>> PROPONENTS SAY THE CLASSROOM IS NO PLACE FOR ANY KIND OF RACISM OR BIAS TO BE TAUGHT.

DO THEY HAVE A POINT HERE, AND WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS BILL?

>> FIRST, I THINK THIS IS A CONTROVERSY THAT HAS BEEN MANUFACTURED BY POLITICIANS, BASICALLY.

THEY ARE CREATING THIS DIVISIVENESS.

THEY ARE STIRRING UP ISSUES THAT REALLY ARE NOT THE BIG ISSUES IN OUR SCHOOLS TODAY.

AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE ANY PARENT OR FAMILY MEMBER WHO IS CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE BEING TAUGHT IN OUR SCHOOLS, I WOULD STRONGLY URGE THAT THEY TALK TO THEIR TEACHER, LEARN ABOUT THE CURRICULUM, AND HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS, BECAUSE WE SEE THIS MISINFORMATION AND DIVISIVE TOPICS COMING UP, AND WE HAVE THESE BILLS THAT WANT TO BE PUNITIVE AND PUNISH TEACHERS BY FINING THEM $5,000 BY TALKING ABOUT THESE TOPICS.

HOW CAN WE HAVE A SOLID EDUCATION SYSTEM, WHERE WE ARE NOT LEARNING DIFFERENT SIDES OF ISSUES, AND ESPECIALLY HERE IN ARIZONA WHERE A SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE OF OUR STUDENT POPULATION ARE STUDENTS OF CULTURE.

WE WANT TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THAT.

I WAS VERY SUPPORTIVE THAT RECORRECTEDLY THE TRIBAL REGALIA BILL PASSED, AND THAT'S A WAY THAT WE CAN GIVE RECOGNITION OF THOSE STUDENTS, HERITAGE AND CULTURE, IN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM, SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE OF THOSE TYPES OF POSITIVE DIRECTIONS AND CONVERSATIONS, RATHER THAN THIS DIVISIVENESS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

PANDEMIC, BUDGET, RACISM, AND SEXISM BEING TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS.

WE COVERED A LOT THERE, SUPERINTENDENT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>> THE FIRST CLASS OF MEDICAL SCHOOL STUDENTS IS SET TO GRADUATE FROM MAYO CLINIC IN SCOTTSDALE.

KENT RICHTER IS A MEMBER OF THAT INITIAL GRADUATING CLASS, AND WE TALKED TO HIM ABOUT HIS TIME AT MAYO, AND WHAT HE LEARNED ABOUT MEDICINE IN A PANDEMIC.

KENT, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SPEAKING WITH US HERE.

CONGRATULATIONS.

THE FIRST CLASS -- THIS IS THE FIRST CLASS TO GRADUATE AT MAYO.

THIS IS NOT A TRADITIONAL MEDICAL SCHOOL, IS IT?

>> NO, SIR.

MAYO HAS A LONG REPUTATION OF BEING KIND OF AT THE FOREFRONT OF MEDICINE, RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND -- AND SO THE MAIN CAMPUS IS -- YOU KNOW, THE FIRST CAMPUS WAS ESTABLISHED IN ROCHESTER, AND THIS IS THE FIRST CLASS -- I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A PART OF THE FIRST CLASS HERE IN PHOENIX, IN ARIZONA, SO, YEAH, IT'S INTERESTING, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE KIND OF THE INSTITUTIONAL BACKING OF THE WHOLE MAYO ENTERPRISE, BUT STARTING A NEW MED SCHOOL HERE IN PHOENIX WE HAD, YOU KNOW, SOME FREEDOM TO KIND OF DO THINGS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY.

WE DIDN'T HAVE KIND OF A CULTURE PREESTABLISHED, SO ONE OF MY MEN MENTORS DESCRIBED IT AS HAVING A START-UP COMPANY IN BEING ABLE TO ESTABLISH CULTURE AND TRADITIONS.

AND IT WAS AWESOME.

>> AND THIS IS PRETTY MUCH LIKE THE EDUCATION DIVISION OF MAYO?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

THE MAYO HAS PATIENT CARE, RESEARCH, AND THEN EDUCATION, AND THE MEDICAL SCHOOL FALLS UNDER THE EDUCATION.

>> SO YOU ARE WALKING AROUND WEARING BUSINESS SUITS AS OPPOSED TO WHITE LAB COATS, HUH?

>> MAYO IS INTERESTING IN THAT WAY AS WELL.

WE CONNECT WITH PATIENTS -- TRY NOT TO PUT THEM IN A POSITION WHERE THEY FEEL THE WHITE COAT SYNDROME AS THEY SAY, FEELING NERVOUS ABOUT BEING AROUND DOCTORS, AND DEMONSTRATING ALSO OUR COMMITMENT TO THE PATIENT, PRESENTING OUR BEST SELVES IN A FORMAL WAY.

SO WE ALWAYS WEAR SUITS AND TIES WHEN WE'RE INTERACTING WITH PATIENTS.

>> AS FAR AS YOUR FOCUS FOR YOUR FOUR YEARS, FIRST OF ALL, WHAT WAS IT, AND SECONDLY, DID IT CHANGE AS YOU WENT ALONG.

>> I ACTUALLY GRADUATE MEDICAL SCHOOL TOMORROW, TECHNICALLY.

I'LL BE GOING TO DANVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA TO START MY RESIDENCY UP THERE.

SO I CAME TO MEDICAL SCHOOL INTERESTED IN NEUROSURGERY.

THAT WAS WHAT I WAS MAINLY INTERESTED IN INITIALLY, BUT I CERTAINLY KIND OF KEPT MY MIND OPEN, AND ANALYZED A LOT OF DIFFERENT SPECIALTIES, EXPERIENCED A LOT DURING MEDICAL SCHOOL, AND I CAME IN WANTING TO DO NEUROSURGERY, AND THAT WAS FURTHER BOLSTERED AND CONFIRMED TO ME THROUGHOUT MEDICAL SCHOOL, AND NOW I'M GOING TO BE STARTING NEUROSURGERY RESIDENCY.

>> WHAT WAS IT LIKE LEARNING ABOUT MEDICINE IN A TIME OF PANDEMIC?

>> IT WAS VERY INTERESTING.

MEDICAL SCHOOL TEACHES A LOT ABOUT THEORY.

YOU TALK A LOT ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH, AND HOW TO PREVENT CERTAIN ILLNESSES, HOW TO COPE WITH CERTAIN THINGS, THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH, AND DURING COVID, WE WERE ABLE TO SEE A LOT OF THAT THEORY PUT INTO PRACTICE.

HOW DO YOU BEST PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION OF VIRUSES?

HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE STUDENTS WHO ARE TRYING TO LEARN ABOUT MEDICINE NOT BE EFFECTED BY THIS VIRUS, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME STILL PARTICIPATING IN PATIENT CARE, SO I FEEL VERY GRATEFUL TO HAVE BEEN AT MYOCLINIC AT THIS TIME, BECAUSE THEY NEVER MISSED A BEAT AS FAR AS PEOPLE BEING AFRAID THAT WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GRADUATE ON TIME, OR THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO BE OUT OF THE HOSPITAL FOR THE REST OF OUR -- OF OUR MEDICAL SCHOOL EDUCATION, BUT THEY WERE ABLE TO SHIFT OUR SCHEDULES AROUND.

IN FACT, WE DIDN'T MISS A SINGLE DAY OF CLASS.

WE WERE ABLE TO GRADUATE ON TIME, AND TRANSFER BACK INTO HOSPITAL SETTINGS, I FEEL FASTER, AND PERHAPS IN A MORE CONTROLLED FASHION THAN OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE TO US.

IT WAS DIFFICULT, A LOT OF STUDENTS, MYSELF INCLUDED, YOU KNOW, DECIDED TO GO BACK HOME WHERE THEY WERE FROM, AND PARTICIPATE IN SCHOOL IN A VIRTUAL FORMAT IN THAT WAY.

MY WIFE AND I HAD OUR THIRD DAUGHTER THE DAY THAT SCHOOL WAS KIND OF DEEMED TO BE NO LONGER SAFE TO ATTEND IN-PERSON, SO I ACTUALLY WAS ABLE TO SPEND SOME TIME AT HOME WITH MY FAMILY AND MY NEW DAUGHTER, SO THAT WAS A SILVER LINING, BUT A LOT OF STUDENTS HAD DIFFERENT CHALLENGES THAT THEY FACED DURING THIS TIME, AND I FEEL GRATEFUL TO HAVE BEEN AT MAYO TO HAVE PROVIDED SUCH A SEAMLESS TRANSITION BACK INTO THE HOSPITAL AND BACK INTO THE SWING OF THINGS.

>> WELL, CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN ON BEING THE FIRST CLASS TO GRADUATE FROM MAYO.

THANK YOU, AND BEST OF LUCK.

>> THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>>> AND THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

♪♪ >>> COMING UP IN THE NEXT HALF HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS ON ARIZONA PBS, ON CRONKITE NEWS, HOW TWO FRIENDS WHO LOVED TO CYCLE WORKED TO MAKE ONE COMMUNITY SAFER FOR THOSE ON TWO WHEELS.

AND ON BREAK IT DOWN, THE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN BLACK AND ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER ACTIVISTS.