Samantha LeFore, Class of ‘26: BioHealth Sciences senior, OSU cheer captain, future physician

It takes unique courage to face thousands of people. Performing gravity-defying stunts at the same time would send shudders down most people’s spines. But armed with pompoms and an orange-and-black uniform, Samantha LeFore shines under the eyes of Beaver Nation.

“I remember my first time running out into Reser Stadium, standing in the middle of the field and staring at all these people. It's pretty crazy, but honestly, I love it,” she said. “You can really be in the moment and think, ‘Wow, this is such a unique experience.’”

For the graduating BioHealth Sciences senior, life at Oregon State has been a high-energy balancing act between the intensity of urgent care and the sidelines. As she prepares to transition from the football field to medical school, LeFore is leaving behind a legacy of leadership, resilience and a deep-seated commitment to community.

Drawn to medicine

A career in science wasn’t something LeFore inherited. Growing up in Beaverton, Oregon, neither of her parents worked in medicine, but a high school health-careers program sparked a curiosity that changed her trajectory. After earning her medical assistant certification through the program, she realized she was bound for a health profession.

“I chose the BioHealth Sciences major because it was perfect for pre-med,” she said. “I’ve loved all my classes since.”

At OSU, that curiosity deepened into a fascination with the mechanistic side of the human body. While the complexities of biochemistry and immunology can be intimidating, LeFore thrived in the details.

“I don't like just knowing why something happens,” she explained. “I like to go super detailed and know the exact pathways.”

This drive to understand the "how" behind human health ultimately led her to pursue medical school.

A woman wears a black jacket with orange accents and holds orange-and-black pompoms on a football field, smiling while she looks out to a crowd beyond the camera.

LeFore's leadership is seen on and off the field as cheer team captain and aspiring physician.

LeFore didn't just study science in the classroom. She lived it in the Koley Lab at the Linus Pauling Institute. For more than a year, she has assessed calcium ion-selective electrodes that would provide a noninvasive alternative to drawing blood. This method of measuring calcium in biological samples — such as saliva — can help monitor diseases including arthritis, tooth decay and osteoporosis.

However, the road to innovation was filled with troubleshooting. LeFore recalls spending months on a hydrogel experiment only to have to rebuild the protocol entirely.

“Research is a lot harder than I expected,” she said. “It teaches you to be super resilient and just keep going even though most of the things you do don't work out. It’s made me learn I can do hard things.”

Cheering and leading

While her days are spent using potentiometry to detect calcium concentration in saliva, her evenings are spent stunting. A cheerleader since she was eight, LeFore took a break during her first year before realizing how much she missed the sport. She joined the OSU team as a sophomore and rose to become captain in her senior year.

As captain, she learned that team culture is often more important than performing the most advanced skills. She also found surprising parallels between leading a cheer squad and her future career as a physician.

“Physicians are in a leadership position,” she noted. “I’ve been reflecting a lot about my position, learning from my leadership now so I can apply that in the future.”

Beyond the lab and the stadium, LeFore works in urgent care as a medical assistant. At The Corvallis Clinic, she takes vitals, cleans wounds and administers medications and immunizations. It is here that her scientific background meets her love for the community.

Three woman in orange OSU cheer uniforms stand beside each other, holding pompoms and smiling at the camera in a Portland news studio.

LeFore's wide range of interests have taken her from emergency rooms to Portland news studios.

Working alongside physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners has solidified her decision to pursue a medical degree. She is particularly interested in surgical specialties and becoming an OB-GYN, drawn to the balance of performing procedures and building long-term trust with patients.

From captain to doctor

As she navigates the year-long process of medical school applications, LeFore is bolstered by the support systems she’s found as an undergraduate. As a BioHealth Sciences major, the pre-med Canvas page and advising team have been crucial guides during this complicated step on the path to medicine.

“It's a lot at first, but as I've kind of broken it down and been able to use the resources at Oregon State, it's been super helpful."

“It's a lot at first, but as I've kind of broken it down and been able to use the resources at Oregon State, it's been super helpful,” she said. “We have great advisors here, like Maureen Leong-Kee. She has a pre-med Canvas page that lays out the entire application process and walks you through it.”

Aside from emphasizing these resources to prospective students, LeFore encourages anyone aiming for a health profession to dive in early and stay focused on their own journey.

“It’s important to focus on yourself and not the 50 pre-med people in your classes,” she advised. “Once you start accumulating these meaningful experiences, then it’s easier to get other ones.”

For LeFore, the busy schedule and the hard work have all been worth it. She credits her time at Oregon State with making her a more positive person and a more confident leader.

“I feel ready,” she said. “I have a strong ‘why’ for wanting to be a physician that I’ve demonstrated in my real life.”

Find out how the BioHealth Sciences major prepares tomorrow’s healthcare professionals here.