Hometown: Wilmington, Delaware
Undergraduate: Bryn Mawr College, BA in Psychology with Honors, cum laude
Graduate: Drexel University College of Medicine, MS in Biomedical Sciences (DPMS)

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

As someone who grew up with chronic migraines and lost their mother to stage IV lung cancer at 13 years of age, I appreciate life, love and healthy days. I enjoy hip hop dancing, playing piano, airbrushing and doing karate. After graduating from Bryn Mawr College in 2016, I volunteered with AmeriCorps as a tutor in downtown Wilmington, Delaware. After that, I worked my way from medical scribe to chief scribe through ScribeAmerica. Finally, I worked as a medical assistant at ENT & Allergy of Delaware prior to matriculating into the Drexel Pathway to Medical School (DPMS) master’s program.

How did your undergraduate experiences prepare you for medical school?

Leading a dance company and working while in college allowed me to demonstrate responsibility and reliability. I feel that those skills, along with the ability to effectively work and communicate with diverse groups of people, have prepared me well for a future in medicine.

How did you hear about DPMS, and what made you want to apply?

I learned about DPMS through searching the internet for post-baccalaureate programs. As I learned more about the program, I appreciated Drexel’s commitment to support and provide ample resources to their students, especially those from communities or backgrounds that are traditionally underrepresented in medicine. I liked the clear expectations of the program: if I maintained the required GPA and MCAT criteria, I could matriculate into medical school.

What were the DPMS faculty like? What were your relationships with your classmates like?

The DPMS faculty are welcoming and love to answer students’ questions. Since everything was online due to COVID-19, the professors hosted Zoom exam reviews and were responsive to student emails.

I did not expect to make such great friends in this program through virtual communication! I formed study groups and we used Zoom as a tool to study together.

Do you feel like DPMS helped prepare you for medical school, or helped strengthen your application?

I feel like DPMS absolutely helped me prepare for the academic rigor of medical school. The DPMS program is designed to help students identify what learning style works for them and how to pivot if a study habit is not working. For me, I learned that doing practice questions and studying in groups is essential for my academic success.

What drew you to medicine?

I missed about 500 days of school growing up due to chronic migraines. During that time, I remained in bed with debilitating dizziness and head pain. From an early age, I thought about what I could do to make sure other kids did not go through the same. My mom always demonstrated compassion for me when I had my migraines, and when I was 13 years old, she passed away from stage IV lung cancer after chemotherapy failed for her. My understanding of medical conditions and the role of medicine changed multiple times since then. I recognize now that my previous experiences have prepared me for a life of caring for others, and that my highest purpose is to help others navigate medical challenges with compassion and integrity.

What advice would you give to someone considering DPMS as part of their path to becoming a physician?

For anyone who is considering DPMS, I would say that while the program is rigorous, it is doable. Please take advantage of the resources available. Asking for help when you need it is a sign of strength, not a weakness.

What are you most looking forward to about living and studying in West Reading?

I am looking forward to connecting with my classmates and exploring the area! Given our small class size at the West Reading campus, our inaugural class will feel like family. The up-and-coming West Reading area makes it possible to live, study and play all within walking distance (or a short drive!).