Hometown: Fort Collins, Colorado
Name of Undergraduate Institution: University of Colorado, Boulder
Major(s)/Minor(s) in College: Psychology Major
Name of Medical School: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Favorite Quote: “If the sky is the limit, why are there footprints on the moon?”
Contact Info: @oohsonatural
Where are you currently at in your career path and why did you decide to pursue this career path?
I am currently a 2nd year medical student pursuing an MD/MPH. I didn’t always know that I wanted to be a physician, but I’ve always wanted to find a field where altruism was a primary focus. During my first job after college, I ended up eavesdropping on calls between ID physicians and their patients. I was able to see how much effort they put into addressing the social factors affecting their patient’s health. This was my first introduction to the power of medicine beyond the treatment of disease.
If you could go back and have a chat with your naïve college freshman self, what would you tell her?
Try more new hobbies. Travel as much as possible. Apply for more scholarships.
What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue a similar path as yours?
Get good grades and try new things. Don’t feel like you have to conform to a stereotype of what the perfect medical student is. Do what you love and enjoy your life. You will learn a lot about what you love by having a diverse set of experiences.
Did you take some time off before medical school? If so, what did you do during that time?
I took 4 years off between undergraduate school and medical school. Upon graduating, I received a fellowship from the NIH to conduct research as part of the PREP program. I was able to conduct public health research, travel to Kenya, develop my own research questions, and present the research abroad. Following that program I pursued a post-bacc in order to complete premedical requirements. I also worked as a scribe and medical assistant at an orthopedic practice in Colorado.
What do you like to do for fun?
I am a big beach volleyball fan. Luckily, I attend the University of Miami and can play volleyball on the beach every week. I also love to travel, cook, workout and garden.
Thank you for taking the time to share your advice and experiences with us Annie! We appreciate you! Good luck to you as you continue to pursue both of your degrees and with your diverse set of experiences, I'm sure that you'll be well equipped to make a lasting impact in your community while doing what you love!
Health Career Spotlights Home Page
Posted on March 7th, 2018