Hometown: Swampscott, Mass.
Undergraduate: University of Massachusetts Amherst, Biochemistry and Psychology
Student's next step: Neurology residency at UMass Chan in Worcester, Mass.

Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to choose Drexel for your medical education?

I had an early interest in medicine when I witnessed my grandfather’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease and went to UMass Amherst to study biochemistry and psychology on the pre-med track. Following graduation, I worked at Massachusetts General Hospital on clinical research studies that focused on early biomarker detection of Alzheimer’s disease.

When choosing a medical school, I wanted to go somewhere that provided me with a good education but also had plenty of opportunities to get involved in my community. One thing that drew me to Drexel was the Health Outreach Project (HOP), a student-run program that provides care and services to underserved individuals within the community. After getting off the waitlist and being accepted to the West Reading campus, I was so happy that I was able to help expand HOP and establish it at a new campus for the College.

You’re part of the first class of MD graduates from West Reading! Congratulations. What was attending medical school in West Reading like for you? Was it what you expected?

It honestly surpassed my expectations! It’s always nerve-racking being the first to do something, but I couldn’t imagine going to medical school anywhere else. I really liked our small class size and felt I was able to get to know all my classmates and our faculty well. I also appreciated how our campus was almost like a blank slate so we could start initiatives that we were passionate about. Now as a fourth-year student, it’s really rewarding seeing the growth of those ideas and all the new efforts that have been started.

What experiences at Drexel have most influenced your career goals?

The breadth of experiences during my clinical rotations were significant and made me consider a lot of different specialties. Ultimately, my strong interest in neurology never changed, but I think I have a better sense of what kind of setting I want to practice in. Additionally, I enjoyed serving in different leadership roles on my campus, ranging from HOP co-chair to wellness representative, and president of my class. I could see myself holding some kind of leadership role during residency or later in my career.

Where did you match for residency?

I matched in Neurology at UMass Chan in Worcester, Massachusetts.

What excites you about this program and your next steps in medicine?

I love how resident-driven the neurology program at UMass Chan is while also providing their trainees with a lot of subspecialty exposure! I also hope to get involved in the wellness care team that focuses on wellness initiatives for residents. Lastly, I’m excited to start growing my skills as a neurologist and work with patients impacted by various neurological conditions.

What advice do you have for those applying to medical school?

I recommend getting involved in things you are truly passionate about! If you love what you’re doing, then it’ll be easier to write about your experiences and talk about them during interviews. Also, if it’s right for you, don’t be afraid to take gap years before you start medical school. I worked for three years in clinical research prior to medical school; through that experience, I gained many important skills and professional connections that continue to be valuable to me.