Finding My Footing in Science and Service For my undergrad, I went to Hillsdale College in Michigan. When I started college, I had no idea what I wanted to do! I initially thought I’d major in math and economics, but after my freshman year, I realized how much I missed science. I took a few summer classes to catch up and quickly decided to study biochemistry. Shortly after, an upperclassman mentor in my major encouraged me to start volunteering at our local hospital, which became my first real exposure to healthcare. I loved it and eventually became the director of the hospital’s student volunteer program. After college, I wasn’t sure what specific path I wanted to pursue, so I followed my dream to live out West and spent a couple of years living in the Sierra Nevada. During that time, my dad was unexpectedly diagnosed with lung cancer. Being with him through his illness ultimately inspired me to apply to medical school. All the groundwork I had done in college — my coursework, volunteer work and leadership experiences — made that decision possible. I was drawn to RVU because I wanted to stay in the West and was inspired by the osteopathic philosophy of medicine. Why Family Medicine What draws me most to family medicine is the opportunity to care for the whole person and build long-term relationships with patients and families. I love that the specialty allows for continuity — seeing patients through all stages of life, from preventive care to managing chronic conditions. Going into medical school, I knew I wanted to pursue primary care in some form, and over the course of my third-year clerkships, I realized that I especially love how family medicine lets you do a little bit of everything while building long-lasting, meaningful relationships with patients. Words of Encouragement for Future Physicians It’s never too late! If medicine is something you genuinely want to do, go for it. I was apprehensive about starting medical school several years after graduating from college, especially knowing that the process from medical school through residency can take 7+ years. But a mentor once told me that time will pass no matter what, so don’t let the length of the journey hold you back. The process can feel long at times, but staying grounded in your values and making time to enjoy each stage along the way can make the journey not only manageable but genuinely rewarding. 29
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