Allison McClain

Med School: Univeristy of Central Florida (UCF)

Why did you choose to pursue a career in healthcare and the medical field?

Same reason as most people! I like science and like people. Ultimately I realized I didn’t actually enjoy any of the pre-req courses, but I LOVE medicine. Super fascinating and fun to learn how everything works together. I really like being a doctor because we get to be decision makers, get to deliver news, diagnoses and come up with plans. It’s a privilege to be the one to explain a diagnosis and treatment course to someone and we get to do it all the time.

Was there a professor or advisor that inspired you at OSU? If so, who was it and how did they inspire you?

Dr. Courtney Campbell made medical ethics super approachable and teaches super interesting courses. Death and dying was really formative for me. Also I got lucky and got Dr. Warrick (Integrative Biology) as my advisor, I really loved his Comparative Anatomy class. Learned so many interesting and useful things.

What extracurriculars were you involved in as an undergraduate student?

Sorority exec board (KKG), standards committee in KKG and with OSU student conduct committee, community outreach clinic, humane society. Did CFHI for 10 weeks in Ecuador.

What piece of advice would you give current or prospective pre-medical students?

Try to work before med school doing something healthcare related, even like an office assistant/receptionist or scribe. I think it gives you a leg up in professionalism and comfort around patients, and a tiny bit of knowledge. There are a few specialties that are the exception, but I will say that interpersonal skills are very important and make a huge difference every day, so if you don’t love talking to people all day long, Medicine might not be the right field for you.

What has been the biggest challenge so far in your journey to becoming a healthcare professional?

Honestly probably undergrad/and getting accepted to a USMD school. I personally had a lot more motivation to study once I got to med school and really enjoyed learning because it didn’t feel so random anymore. Doing pre-req classes in undergrad, while trying to volunteer, and trying to have a great social life was kind of tough. Trying to jump through all the hoops to get into med school was probably the hardest/the most emotionally trying because of how uncertain everything feels.

Ashley King

Med School: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences

Was there a professor or advisor that inspired you at OSU? If so, who was it and how did they inspire you?

Dr. Sharpton and Dr. Lowry (Microbiology) both played a pivotal role in my decision to continue a career in medicine. It is easy to lose sight of your long-term goals when you are in the thick of undergraduate courses, but the passionate teachings by Dr. Sharpton in his human microbiome course and Dr. Lowry's in immunology, reminded me why I was there. They helped rekindled the love I have for the human body, which was the drive I needed to make the next steps toward my goal.

Did you choose an MD or DO program? Why?

I applied almost exclusively to DO programs because I loved the idea of their holistic approach to medicine.

What piece of advice would you give current or prospective pre-medical students?

Take time off between your undergraduate year and medical school to work in the field. It doesn't have to be for a long time, but when I am in a rut at school I can think back to the three years I spent as an anesthesia tech and those memories are enough to pull me back on my feet. On top of that it gives you a little extra time to focus on your hobbies before your focus is shifted to being a medical student.

What has been the biggest challenge so far in your journey to becoming a healthcare professional?

As a current 1st year medical student in COVID my biggest challenge so far has been adapting to an isolated learning platform. At OSU I was one to sit in the very front of the class (partly because I didn't realize I needed glasses yet, but more so because it helped me engage with the lectures) to being behind my computer screen for 12 hours a day alone in my apartment. I also can interact with less than 20% of my class which is a bummer because medicine is such a collaborative field.

What has been the most rewarding thing you have learned as a medical student or practicing physician?

The relationships I've made thus far within my small cohort has been the most rewarding. Medicine is collaborative; having even a small number of people to learn beside and learn from is worth its weight in gold.

Ashley Victor

Med School: Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU)

What extracurriculars were you involved in as an undergraduate student?

I definitely kept busy in undergrad! I did 4 years of research that resulted in my honors thesis, which was a challenging but very rewarding experience. I was a part of Sigma Delta Omega, a sorority for women in science, and had the wonderful opportunity to hold two leadership positions in my 4 years. I was an AWSEM (Advocates for Women in Science, Engineering, and Math) mentor and worked with middle and high school girls interested in careers in science. Beavs Helping Kids was a club that raised money for Children's Miracle Network and I had a lot of fun planning events with them. I loved participating in the OSU-wide community service days every term, as well as a longer term volunteer position at Good Sam Hospital. And finally I was a Peer Advisor with the College of Science!

What piece of advice would you give current or prospective pre-medical students?

Find activities you are passionate about, not just ones you think will check a box on your application! Ultimately these are the things you will talk about in interviews and if your passion and investment shine through, interviewers will definitely notice, no matter what the activity ends up being.

What has been the biggest challenge so far in your journey to becoming a healthcare professional?

The journey can get really isolating. It's a lot of long days and putting everything you have into this goal, and it can be easy to get consumed by that. That's why it so important to surround yourself with people who can support you and pull you out of that from time to time. I've been really lucky to have found some amazing people at OSU and OHSU that do just that.

What has been the most rewarding thing you have learned as a medical student or practicing physician?

I am continually humbled by the trust and vulnerability that patients place in physicians. Those interactions where patients trust me with information about their health and their fears, even though I am just a student, are the most rewarding.

Braden Vogt

Med School: Brown University

Was there a professor or advisor that inspired you at OSU? If so, who was it and how did they inspire you?

Dr. Indira Rajagopal! (Biochemistry and Biophysics). Challenging professor that really made you think, terrific mentorship as well!

What piece of advice would you give current or prospective pre-medical students?

Get involved early with extracurricular activities (especially clinical experience and research) and take your classes to learn, not to get a grade. Helps a ton on MCAT!

What has been the biggest challenge so far in your journey to becoming a healthcare professional?

I didn't get in first year, even though I did well on the MCAT/GPA. That got me down, but I persevered!

What has been the most rewarding thing you have learned as a medical student or practicing physician?

Using knowledge to actively positively impact patient's lives and connecting with patients through good and bad times.

Daniel Trinh

Med School: Western University of Health Sciences COMP-NW

Was there a professor or advisor that inspired you at OSU? If so, who was it and how did they inspire you?

Dr. Kari Van Zee and Dr. Indira Rajagopal. Indira was the first person to welcome me to the Biochemistry Department and she was always so willing to help. Kari was always so positive and encouraging throughout the years as I pursued medicine. Both of them really helped me understand the ins and outs of navigating the pre-med route and it wouldn't have been as manageable if it weren't for them!

Did you choose an MD or DO program? Why?

I chose DO because my mentor was a DO who really inspired me with her approach to patient care. I also value the concept of utilizing physical touch as a part of medicine as it can be vital in establishing a stronger patient-physician relationship by introducing more humanism to medicine.

What piece of advice would you give current or prospective pre-medical students?

Find out what your passions are and follow them! That's what makes you unique, but it will also help you figure out why you do or don't want to do medicine. That's arguably the most important thing to figure out as a pre-med. Ask lots of questions and don't be afraid to reach out to connect with people.

What has been the biggest challenge so far in your journey to becoming a healthcare professional?

Medical school is hard, no matter how gifted you may be. Whatever the circumstance, I find that it's challenging to remember why I chose this path and remember that I'm in this for the long run. Being able to adapt to adversity is the everlasting battle when you commit to medicine.

What has been the most rewarding thing you have learned as a medical student or practicing physician?

The most rewarding thing I have learned as a medical student thus far is that the culture of healthcare is changing. We are shifting into a world where communication, diversity, and equity are all valued aspects of medicine. While I love learning the science of medicine, I just love the humanism that is incorporated into our curriculum. It's refreshing to be reminded that we are earning a special privilege to work with other human beings, and not just their conditions.

David Shumway

Med School: A. T. Still University

What piece of advice would you give current or prospective pre-medical students?

Volunteer as much as possible and shadow as much as possible. You will have to prove why you deserve that spot in medical school and that you know what you are signing up for.

Did you choose an MD or DO program? Why?

DO program. I was also accepted into the military HPSP program and so neither tuition cost nor worrying about training opportunities was a factor anymore. I was free to practice the kind of medicine I really wanted to learn. I chose DO because I care about whole person healthcare and value the structural approach they take as a foundation towards understanding medicine.

What has been the biggest challenge so far in your journey to becoming a healthcare professional?

I didn’t get into medical school the first time, and it was 100% because I tried to do it myself without help. The second time, I truly reached out to my advisors and got the help I needed with my personal statement, application essays etc. Ask for the help you need and start early. The process is super competitive. Luckily with the right help, I was very successful the second round.

What has been the most rewarding thing you have learned as a medical student or practicing physician?

This sounds like a residency interview question! The most rewarding thing I learned as a medical student and as a practicing doctor was how to really be my authentic self and that I was on that right path as I developed as a professional. I learned that I could make a real, serious difference in people’s lives; it is an amazing feeling and an incredible responsibility.

Jaime Scott

Med School: University of Arizona - Tucson

What piece of advice would you give current or prospective pre-medical students?

Do activities that bring you joy, not because you need to fill a resume. Knowing who you are and having interpersonal skills will go a long way.

What has been the biggest challenge so far in your journey to becoming a healthcare professional?

Imposter syndrome. I’m not sure it ever completely goes away, but look at how far you’ve come and what you have accomplished.

What has been the most rewarding thing you have learned as a medical student or practicing physician?

As an intern in residency I have had some of my most rewarding experiences to date. Knowing I made a difference in the life of my patient from a medical standpoint and coordinating outpatient services to help them be successful.

Jessica Glossop

Med School: University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine (UIWSOM)

What extracurriculars were you involved in as an undergraduate student?

Global Medical Bridges, Blood Drive, Undergraduate Research, Nutritional Aide in a hospital, hospital volunteer, Active Minds, Blood Drive Association, OSU Volunteer with Kids TAG Camp Programs.

Was there a professor or advisor that inspired you at OSU? If so, who was it and how did they inspire you?

Though I never formally met her, I was inspired by OSU's pre-med advisor, Maureen Leong-Kee (Integrative Biology). I always felt that she believed me in and supported my journey along the way. She was always encouraging, kind, empathetic and helpful throughout the application and interview process.

Did you choose an MD or DO program? Why?

I choose a DO program because I mainly shadowed DO physicians and was fascinated by the mind-body approach and the ability to have OMT as another tool to utilize with patients.

What piece of advice would you give current or prospective pre-medical students?

Do your research and understand your motivations for wanting to matriculate into medical school/become a physician, as well as what the process entails. Additionally, believe in yourself. Don't compare your journey to others. Focus on continuously becoming a better version of you. The process is competitive and stressful, but always remember that you deserve to be there as much as anyone else. Don't internalize others telling you that you cannot do it. You are capable and worthy.

Joely Hannan

Med School: University of Washington

Was there a professor or advisor that inspired you at OSU? If so, who was it and how did they inspire you?

Dr. Indira Rajagopal (Biochemistry and Biophysics)! She really encouraged me to do activities which were truly meaningful to me and then ultimately find my way to medicine after graduation.

Why did you choose to pursue a career in healthcare and the medical field?

Medicine is a way where you always get to be part of a team, both with other providers and with your patients. As a former athlete, I loved this team environment and know it will make me happy for my career.

What piece of advice would you give current or prospective pre-medical students?

Try not to get too worried about statistics and certain activities you feel you need to be an "ideal" applicant. They are a reality, but everyone has their own path to medical school and it's important to stay genuine to yourself!

What has been the biggest challenge so far in your journey to becoming a healthcare professional?

Juggling commitments and timing of the application cycle was difficult. I definitely had some highs and lows related to grades, etc., while balancing upper level classes and athletics, then later MCAT studying while working. But planning, asking for help when I needed it, and most importantly giving myself the time to become a competitive applicant worked out for me.

What has been the most rewarding thing you have learned as a medical student or practicing physician?

Medicine is all about cooperation and finding the best path forward for your patient, which will be unique between individuals! Also I learn cool physiology every day which keeps things fun. Science is wild! ;)

Michelle Nguyen

Med School: Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU)

Was there a professor or advisor that inspired you at OSU? If so, who was it and how did they inspire you?

Dr. Dan Myles (Chemistry). His love and passion for teaching and how he remembered his students inspired me.

Why did you choose to pursue a career in healthcare and the medical field?

I like science and helping people. I've always been interested in medicine since middle school after watching my grandma go through the medical system with language barriers.

What piece of advice would you give current or prospective pre-medical students?

Pursing medicine has a wide variety of options! It's not just medical school, but there's PA school, nursing, PT/OT, respiratory therapists, etc. Lots of many different fields that don't require you to be in school forever. Becoming a doctor is a long exhausting journey. You wanna make sure you ruled out any other career that you might be interested in before pursing med school.

What has been the most rewarding thing you have learned as a medical student or practicing physician?

Being able to help patients and make a difference in their care.

Nick Rosson

Med School: Oregon Health & Science University

Was there a professor or advisor that inspired you at OSU?

The teachers for Experimental Chemistry series (Emile Firpo, Chris Pastorek, John Loeser). They actively encouraged a curiosity about science and put an emphasis on continued learning, scientific experimentation, and adaptation if something went wrong during an experiment. And they had a strong passion for teaching and goal for all their students to succeed that was highly evident and appreciated by all.

What piece of advice would you give current or prospective pre-medical students?

If you don't get into medical school the first time, don't give up. It took me multiple attempts before I was accepted but, since getting in, I have really enjoyed it and found it is just as rewarding as I had hoped.

What has been the most rewarding thing you have learned as a medical student or practicing physician?

The patient interactions I have had the pleasure of experiencing. I get to meet new people every day, hear about what health problems they are having, and try to help them. It is always enjoyable when I see and hear about how much better a patient is feeling after I help with their treatment.

Rachel Rodecap

Med School: Pacific Northwest University of Health Science

Did you choose an MD or DO program? Why?

I only applied DO because i like the idea that I have a tool to diagnose and treat a patient with just my hands.

What piece of advice would you give current or prospective pre-medical students?

Really look into what all is entailed in medical school. I didn't know anything about medical school coming in, and I think that made the transition more challenging.

What has been the biggest challenge so far in your journey to becoming a healthcare professional?

Being ok with having to change my study tactics with every change of system/course. Also being ok with "just passing" because passing is hard enough.

What has been the most rewarding thing you have learned as a medical student or practicing physician?

Just growing as a person and growing as a health care provider.

Kevin Corey

Med School: Rocky Vista University

Did you choose an MD or DO program? Why?

DO. I worked with some DO’s and liked their perspective. I also didn’t want to write a different personal statement and pay for the MD application.

What piece of advice would you give current or prospective pre-medical students?

Don’t get too preoccupied with extracurricular activities that you don’t truly enjoy. You’ll get burnt out before medical school even starts.

Shan Lansing

Med School: Ohio State University

What extracurriculars were you involved in as an undergraduate student?

Undergraduate research (Department of Chemistry), Chemistry TA & Mole Hole, Sigma Delta Omega, COS Ambassador, Research Ambassador, STEM Leaders mentor, Corvallis Community Outreach Free Clinic volunteer, Pre-med Society

Was there a professor or advisor that inspired you at OSU? If so, who was it and how did they inspire you?

Dr. Neal Sleszynski (Chemistry). When I started at OSU as a kid fresh out of high school, I had goals to go to medical school and to be involved with research, but I had no concrete ideas of how to achieve those goals (and sometimes wondered if I was even good enough to achieve them). Neal never questioned my goals and never wasted time. If I said "I hope to go to medical school one day..." Neal would say "Okay, so you're going to medical school, and here's what we need to do to get you there. Let's get you in a research lab this week." Every goal was like that with him, and I wouldn't be where I am today without his mentorship.

Did you choose an MD or DO program? Why?

I only applied to MD programs. Research was a passion of mine; I am motivated by the pursuit of delivering the highest standard of care to all people, even patients that I won't directly treat in my practice. This broad impact is predominantly available through research and publication (and advocacy/policy, though I did not know that when I applied). Though medical students from MD and DO programs both participate in research, I wanted to be at a large academic center where major research was being done -- these academic centers predominantly host MD medical schools.

Why did you choose to pursue a career in healthcare and the medical field?

"Why medicine?" is The Question. I should be better at answering given how many times I have been asked that in my life. Unfortunately, it never gets easier to describe the calling I feel in my soul to meet people at their most vulnerable, develop a relationship built on trust, and progress with them toward healing.

What piece of advice would you give current or prospective pre-medical students?

Push yourself to be uncomfortable. Growth often feels a little uncomfortable before it feels like progress.

What has been the biggest challenge so far in your journey to becoming a healthcare professional?

Medicine is a long road. It's important, and challenging, to be happy at the stage you are at. When I was an undergraduate student, I wanted to be a medical student. And when I was a first year medical student, I wanted to be a third year/clinical medical student. There will always be a next thing you want. It was challenging for me to not let my goals for the future keep me from enjoying the present.

What has been the most rewarding thing you have learned as a medical student or practicing physician?

The most rewarding part about medicine is when a patient that is afraid, overwhelmed, and at an extraordinarily vulnerable point in their life offers you their trust. Giving someone comfort by way of medical knowledge and recommendations, or through technical skill and surgery, is the most meaningful thing I could do with my life.

Kristin Potter

Med School: Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU)

What extracurriculars were you involved in as an undergraduate student?

Undergraduate research (Department of Chemistry), Spanish club, OSU Pre-Medical Society, Community Outreach free medical clinics, OSU Discovery Days, Boys & Girls Club.

Was there a professor or advisor that inspired you at OSU? If so, who was it and how did they inspire you?

Dr. Paul Blakemore had a big impact on helping me discover my interest in chemistry. I enjoyed the courses he taught which helped confirm that I was in the right major for me. He was also the first person to give me the opportunity to be involved with undergraduate research which provided the foundational skills and knowledge I needed to continue being involved in research today at OHSU.

What has been the most rewarding thing you have learned as a medical student or practicing physician?

The most rewarding part of medical school thus far has been getting to know the patients whose care I have been involved in. As the student, I often have the most free time and the fewest responsibilities which allows me to connect with and advocate for patients in a way that others sometimes cannot.

Taylor Bundy

Med School: Western University of Health Sciences COMP-Northwest

What extracurriculars were you involved in as an undergraduate student?

As an undergrad I was involved with the IMPACT program, K-12 volunteering and outreach with Mi Familia and Discovery Days, biochemistry research with Dr. Ryan Mehl, and the College of Science/Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics peer mentoring program.

Was there a professor or advisor that inspired you at OSU? If so, who was it and how did they inspire you?

I was fortunate to have had so many great people at OSU, but I was absolutely inspired by Dr. Indira Rajagopal and I still consider her to be the most wonderful mentor I've ever had - she's such an incredible person and educator, and she was a huge reason I believed in myself enough to pursue medicine. She also instilled a real passion for teaching and community outreach that I hope to incorporate into the rest of my career by staying involved in medical education and service. She's just one of my favorite people and I'm so fortunate to have her in my life.

What has been the most rewarding thing you have learned as a medical student or practicing physician?

As far as what I've learned as a resident physician, two things come to mind: one, medicine provides an amazing pathway for lifelong learning and there will always be ways to continue building on your knowledge base, and two, at the end of the day it's both rewarding and humbling to remember that it's about my relationship with my patient. Medicine can be very mentally and emotionally taxing, and it's important to remember that to care for someone when they are at their most vulnerable is a privilege. And taking care of yourself is also hugely important.

Omar Rachdi

Med School: Western University of Health Sciences COMP-Northwest