Hometown: Redding, Connecticut
Undergraduate: Colgate University, BS in Cellular Neuroscience
Continuing education: University of Pennsylvania, Post-Baccalaureate program in specialized studies

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself before you came to Drexel?

I was born and raised in Redding, Ct. I have a younger brother, and we grew up playing sports in the backyard together. I began to take softball seriously in high school and went on to play at the Division 1 level at Colgate University, where I majored in cellular neuroscience.

I took three gap years before coming to the College of Medicine. Shortly after graduating from Colgate, I began a post-baccalaureate program at the University of Pennsylvania to complete some remaining medical school prerequisites. During my post-bacc and prior to starting medical school, I worked at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) as a clinical research coordinator in the radiology department.

How did your undergraduate experiences prepare you for medical school?

Learning to balance the rigorous demands of academics with a Division 1 athletic schedule prepared me for medical school. The early mornings of practice and weightlifting paired with late nights of studying taught me how to grind, and how to maintain wellness throughout the process. Collegiate athletics helped me develop grit, resilience, a strong work ethic, and valuable time management strategies. I also learned how to trust my preparation, which has directly translated to the classroom, standardized patient encounters, practicals and written exams.

Tell me about your work as a clinical research coordinator in a HUP radiology lab. How did that prepare you for medical school?

Working in a radiology lab not only provided me with some musculoskeletal and medical imaging insights but also aided development of my clinical and interpersonal skills in patient interactions. As a research technician and clinical research coordinator at HUP, I learned how to perform phlebotomy, administer MRI scans, and had the opportunity to contribute to a variety of research projects. Working alongside experts and participating in interdisciplinary collaboration was incredibly gratifying. These experiences broadened my clinical insights and enhanced my appreciation for translational research and academic medicine. I hope to continue my involvement in clinical research throughout medical school and beyond.

What are you enjoying about your time in medical school so far? What are you enjoying about studying in Philadelphia?

Medical school thus far has surpassed my expectations in every way possible. Perhaps the novelty of it all hasn’t worn off yet, but I genuinely feel like I am living the dream (most days). Learning about the human body has been an absolute privilege, and I am eager to continue developing into my professional self both in the classroom and in the clinic. Aside from academics, I am grateful to have met some really wonderful classmates who have already become great friends. Additionally, exploring new study spaces has become a hobby of mine. Philadelphia has some great coffee shops and restaurants, as well. My boyfriend and I try a new restaurant following every exam to celebrate. Philadelphia has become home for me over the past several years and I am excited to continue exploring the city.