The opportunity to lead, help, care and show compassion for patients and coworkers is just part of the reason I care so greatly about being a part of this field. I heard an almost-retired doctor say to me that you get into medicine because you love medicine, but you stay in medicine because you love people, which resonated with me very much.
Who or what has inspired you while at VCOM?
I’ve been inspired at VCOM by the students' passion, and the faculty have for giving back to the community. It is such a selfless environment; even with the current pandemic going on, everyone is looking for ways to help out the community however they can. It’s truly inspiring to see these people working towards becoming doctors, as I know the future of medicine is in good, caring, and humble hands.
How has the VCOM mission-inspired you as a medical student?
The VCOM mission has always allowed me to never forget my true cause for coming to medical school, serving the underserved. There are so many ways we can help out in our own area and help improve the disparities we see in medicine every day just by making sure we take the time to represent everyone we can as a physician, regardless of where they come from.
Who or what inspired you to study medicine?
I'd always loved the idea of the healthcare field and actually learned about a lot of different healthcare professions before I decided medicine was the one for me. The opportunity to lead, help, care and show compassion for patients and coworkers is just part of the reason I care so greatly about being a part of this field. I heard an almost-retired doctor say to me that you get into medicine because you love medicine, but you stay in medicine because you love people, which resonated with me very much. It truly is amazing, the selfless aspect of medicine.
Why did you choose VCOM?
This was a no-brainer for me; I went to Virginia Tech and had been fascinated by the school all of my undergraduate career. The students here were always open to chatting about their experiences, and they were always so positive about medical school. The “family feel” everyone talks about is very real, and the “home feel” I have for Blacksburg made this the perfect match for me.
What do you enjoy most about living in the area around your campus?
I have two words to answer this question, college football. It brings so much joy to me to feel the camaraderie around Blacksburg during football season. Everyone comes to celebrate the Hokies, which gives me a great outlet from school when I can make the time. Blacksburg, in general, is such a nice and quiet area with amazing local businesses. Living within walking distance from campus on a walking trail is also an added benefit!
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love doing new things I’ve never done or tried before. Whether this is trying out a new recipe or restaurant, going on a new hike, or taking my dog to a new walking trail, I love these kinds of activities in my free time. For me, finding something interesting, but at the same time a little bit mindless, is key, so I can get a true break from studying.
Are you interested in a particular practice or specialty once you graduate? What has inspired your interest in this specialty?
I am very interested in becoming an OBGYN for many reasons. I love that you are a surgeon and also a primary care physician. I also am drawn to women’s health in general and the ability to have lifelong patients. My interest was sparked in this field of medicine while on a medical mission trip in my undergraduate career. I loved the personal feel of the field and how I was able to connect with these women.