"I love that Midwestern University focuses on learning how to work with others from fields within medicine different from our own."
Hometown: Long Island, NY
Undergraduate experience: Bachelor of Science in Physiology, University of Arizona
What inspired you to pursue a healthcare career?
My desire to pursue a career in healthcare was driven by my experiences throughout high school and college. As a high school student, I was involved in school and church activities that ignited my passion for serving others. For example, a club that had a significant impact on me was called Natural Helpers. This group focuses on being there for others when they are going through difficult times and listening to people when they need someone to talk to. I knew I wanted to apply what I learned in that club to my interactions with others in my life in general and in my future career. I also participated in my high school’s science research program where I worked on yearly research projects and presented my findings to judges during competitions. This program influenced my interest in the sciences, which led me to continue research in college.
At this point, I knew I wanted to go into medicine, and my college experiences helped me narrow my interests which ultimately led me to the field of podiatric medicine. For instance, I joined a respiratory physiology research lab that contributed to my interest in surgery. In the lab, I performed neonatal rat heart perfusions and brainstem and spinal cord dissections. I loved that these activities required precision and careful attention to detail. I realized that I love to be hands-on and that I would enjoy the intricacies that surgery entails. I was also a Patient Experience Ambassador intern at Banner University Medical Center in Tucson. At the hospital, I had the opportunity not only to ensure patients’ needs were taken care of, but I got to spend time listening to patients to help them feel less alone during their stay. I realized I want to have ample time to listen to my future patients and build meaningful relationships with them.
How did your background and history factor into your career choice?
My interest in surgery and love for listening to patients brought me to podiatry along with my interests in dermatology, pediatrics, and my grandmother who was a podiatric patient herself. My grandmother had many foot problems, including ulcers, and even received amputations due to diabetes. She is an inspiration to me as I venture on the path towards becoming a podiatrist, and I will be honored to serve patients like her in the future. Shadowing a podiatrist further solidified my decision to go into the field of podiatry, and my excitement for this field has grown more and more as I continue my education here at Midwestern University.
Why did you decide to attend Midwestern University?
Attending Midwestern University’s Podiatry Immersion Program made the decision to attend Midwestern an easy one. I loved meeting current students and practicing podiatrists during my visit to campus. Everyone was so genuinely kind, friendly, and enthusiastic about podiatry, which made me feel at home. I knew I was where I belonged when I walked into the anatomy lab and got to see leg and foot cadavers for the first time. This aligned with my love for human anatomy and physiology. Additionally, I loved that Midwestern is close to home and to my loved ones, it offers a high-quality education and hands-on experiences, and it allows me to meet people from many different specialties within medicine.
What about a Midwestern University education do you want to carry forward in your career?
I want to carry forward the interdisciplinary aspect of Midwestern University’s education. I love that the University focuses on learning how to work with others from fields within medicine different from our own. Making connections with healthcare professionals from various specialties is crucial, since we can all come together with our own unique backgrounds and respective training to provide the best possible care for our patients.
