Hometown: Orlando, FL
Name of Undergraduate Institution: University of Florida
Major(s)/Minor(s) in College: Major – Biology; Minor – Business Administration and Dance
Name of Medical School: New York Medical College
Favorite Quote: “You can never be overdressed or overeducated.” – Oscar Wilde
Contact Info: Rjmmathieu@gmail.com
Additional Links: @dr_reginej
Where are you currently at in your career path and why did you decide to pursue this career path?
I am currently a second-year dermatology resident at Brown University. I was inspired to pursue dermatology from seeing family members diagnosed with an array of skin conditions including scleroderma, cutaneous lupus, atopic dermatitis and my own personal journey with acne. After rotating through dermatology and learning that there are so many different things you can do, whether that be surgery, pathology, pediatrics, etc., it solidified my interest.
If you could go back and have a chat with your naïve college freshman self, what would you tell her?
I would tell myself to breathe, enjoy your experience, and remember that your hard work will pay off in the end. I believe that I was a bit stubborn with achieving my goals. If a counselor told me to consider an alternate career path, I simply would seek counsel elsewhere. I continued to do this during medical school as well. I always told myself, “in ten years, you could walk by this person on the street and they wouldn’t remember you, but if you let them stop your dream you’ll absolutely remember them. So don’t listen to anyone who tries to deter you dreams”.
What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue a similar path as yours?
Mentors! It’s so important to connect with a mentor for guidance. Mentors can be anyone in the same field whether that be a practicing physician, resident doctor or medical student.
Did you take some time off before medical school? If so, what did you do during that time?
I took a year off before starting medical school and would absolutely do it again. I worked at a pathology lab which not only helped with making connections and getting letters of recommendation for my application, but was also a necessary break for me. I also took a gap-year between my third and fourth year of medical school to complete a research year at Northwestern (which is common to get into competitive specialties).
Do you have any passions outside of medicine? If so, what are they?
Dance! I’ve been training in several forms of dance since I was 5 years old. In college I continued to do so, and honestly I feel like I danced more than I studied. It’s always been a passion of mine. I stopped taking classes during my first two years of medical school due to location and time constraints. Once I started my third year, I started dancing again and it was the best decision I’ve made. It’s important to make time for your passions outside of medicine to stay grounded and sane. I still continue to dance whenever possible and have no plans to stop.
What do you feel is the most challenging part of medical school? The easiest part?
I believe the most challenging parts are the volume of material and Imposter syndrome (the feeling that you don’t belong in a space or somehow you don’t deserve to be there). Remember it’s OK to ask for help if your struggling, and create a network of uplifting colleagues who will not lead you to doubt yourself.
Who are some of your favorite musicians? Favorite books? Shows? Movies?
Musicians I enjoy at the moment – Snoh Alegra, Summer Walker, Masego, Arin Ray, Beyoncé, Meg THEE Stallion
Shows – Lovecraft Country, This Is Us, Grey’s Anatomy, Euphoria, Insecure, Atlanta
Movies – The Sound of Music, Troy, Remember the Titans, Love Jones
Books – Harry Potter, The Year of Yes
Thank you for sharing all of your valuable advice and experiences with us Regine! You are very much appreciated! Best of luck to you as you continue to forge a successful career for yourself in the specialty that you love!
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Posted on June 28th, 2021