Student Bios
Miriam Al-Saedy
Internal Medicine, Virginia Mason
Born in Seattle, WA and raised in Everett, I come from a family of Iraqi refugees. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with research thesis honors and an English minor at the University of Washington as part of the Class of 2020. My sister, Salsabeal, whom I consider my “twin,” is currently a second-year medical student here at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. I am grateful to have had excellent faculty, preceptors, and classmates who helped build my skill set and expertise in becoming a well-rounded future physician.
What led you to study medicine, and why?
Fundamentally, serving underserved and homeless populations, along with teaching STEM, motivated me to pursue the field of medicine. The opportunity to give back to my communities in the future as a physician is what drives my dedication to studying medicine.
What is your passion?
Outside of medicine, one passion is taming birds. Currently I have a fiery green cheek conure, “Booshka”. I enjoy crafting Middle Eastern cuisine with various modifications, including substitutions for allergies.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
I hope to serve the underserved communities and give back by teaching the next generations of future physicians.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
More recently, confidently suturing a trauma patient’s arm laceration in the ED with only the surgical lamp light on (room light did not work) and remembering all the pearls of wisdom imparted from my clinical rotation preceptors at that moment to ensure a cosmetically pleasing outcome in the end.
Jasmine Birch
General Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University
I’m excited to start residency.
What led you to study medicine, and why?
How fascinating and intricate the human body is.
What is your passion?
Surgery.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
Connecting with patients.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
Immediate gratification while working with my hands.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
Meeting life-long friends.
Garrett Britt
Urology, SUNY Upstate Medical University
I was born in Wenatchee, WA and spent most of my childhood living between Wenatchee and a small rural town named Stehekin, which is located in a remote section of the Cascade Mountains in North Central Washington. Only 100 people live in Stehekin and it is accessible by only boat or floatplane. While living there, I completed four years of my elementary/middle school education at one of the few remaining ‘one-room schoolhouses’ in the United States. After finishing middle school in Stehekin and high school back in Wenatchee, I attended the University of Washington in Seattle where I studied Biochemistry. After graduating college, I spent one year working as a surgical scribe at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center which strongly contributed to my specialty interests in medical school.
What led you to study medicine, and why?
Growing up in Stehekin, WA exposed me to the challenges of delivering health care in rural America and I learned a lot about some of the health disparities that residents of those communities face. This inspired my initial interest in medicine and further exploration of the field throughout my time at the University of Washington led me to apply to medical school.
What is your passion?
Within medicine, I am passionate about urologic surgery and oncology. Outside of medicine, I enjoy hiking, fishing, and mountain biking.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
After residency, I hope to play a small role in serving rural communities and delivering much-needed healthcare as a practicing urologist.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
After graduating college, I spent one year working as an orthopedic oncology scribe in the sarcoma clinic at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle. What stood out to me most about the surgeons in this clinic was the privilege they had to rapidly improve patient health with surgery while also being able to develop meaningful, long-term relationships with their patients. This approach to health care resonated with me and it strongly contributed to my interest in surgical oncology.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
One of my favorite memories during my time at the College of Medicine was the first week of large-group, in-person lectures during spring of our second year. Up to this point, most of our education had been virtual with exception to some small group sessions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of us had not interacted much outside of the virtual classroom and we were all excited to return to a normal educational environment.
Chance Brock
Diagnostic Radiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine – Aurora, CO, University of New Mexico School of Medicine
I grew up in western Washington, went to school at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, and then worked in Seattle for four years before starting medical school. I enjoy spending time with my wife and friends, being in the outdoors, and playing with my dog Lucy.
What led you to study medicine, and why?
In my teenage years I developed complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Going through the ups and downs of my diagnosis and treatments precipitated my interest in the sciences, and specifically the field of medicine.
What is your passion?
I have a passion for helping identify potential causes of chronic conditions before they become an issue in a person’s life.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
Ideally, I would like to go back to the greater Seattle area and practice in the community I grew up in.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
Coming from a family of construction workers, I developed a sense of abstracting a three-dimensional structure from a two-dimensional image early in life. Being able to utilize this skill in helping diagnose patients and for providing image-guided procedures is something I knew I would want to pursue.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
My favorite memory happened at the beginning of our second year when we all got to meet in-person for the first time after getting to know each other for an entire year online.
Crystal Bruce
Family Medicine, Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center
I was a child of foster care and I am very proud of where my hard work has taken me.
What led you to study medicine, and why?
It was a mustard seed, placed by my foster mother, that grew into a calling.
What is your passion?
Learning Spanish and spending time with family and friends.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
Encouraging physical activity as medicine.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
I chose family medicine because I enjoy all organ systems equally.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
Study groups with the Deuterostomes.
Ross Budreau
Family Medicine, MultiCare Good Samaritan Health System
What is your passion?
Within medicine, I am passionate about providing high quality mental health care to all, with a special emphasis on LGBTQIA+ individuals and individuals with substance use disorders. Outside of medicine, I am passionate about maintaining physical and mental wellness through playing tennis, dodgeball, and volleyball. I also enjoy trying new restaurants, the occasional karaoke night, and traveling.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
While mental health care is becoming more widely acknowledged by the public, significant stigma toward individuals with mental health issues still persists. I hope to uplift my future community through education, advocacy, and normalization of mental health conditions with the goal of making mental health care more accessible to all individuals.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
As a past mental health registered nurse, I wanted to use the many skills I have cultivated over the years to help provide empathetic care and high quality patient education to individuals seeking mental health care.
Skyler Burke
Internal Medicine, University of Washington
Born and raised in Seattle, I wanted to be a paleontologist (study dinosaur fossils) as a child. Outside of the hospital, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. My wife and I like to take our dog Luna on long hikes. I also enjoy snowboarding and pickleball.
What led you to study medicine, and why?
I became interested in becoming a physician specifically focused on oncology through personal experiences with family members impacted by cancer and several years working in pediatric oncology research.
What is your passion?
I am passionate about caring for patients holistically and ensuring adequate access to support outside of the hospital after discharge.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
I hope to continue in academic medicine and give back the mentorship I received during my journey through medicine. I enjoy the challenge of managing complex chronic diseases and working in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary environment.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
I plan on pursuing a fellowship in oncology or GI. I gravitate towards the longitudinal relationships built with oncology and GI patients. I have specific research interests in immunotherapy and advanced endoscopic techniques in the early detection and management of GI malignancies.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
My favorite memories of medicine would be spending time with my classmates in Spokane after a year apart during COVID. I also greatly enjoyed academic half days when we could all catch up and swap stories about rotations. I loved hearing about everyone’s achievements and how they were exploring their interests.
Kevin Chang
Internal Medicine, Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
While I am from Yakima, WA, I grew up mainly in the Midwest. I was born in Minnesota and lived in Kansas for a combined 13 years until my family moved to the Yakima Valley. After completing my Associate’s Degree at Yakima Valley College, I went on to the University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA) and earned a BS in Biochemistry. While I enjoyed UCLA, I have always felt a pull to return home and have been honored to serve my home as a WSU medical student.
What led you to study medicine, and why?
It all started with my father, who is a physician himself. Seeing how rewarding he found his career and the positive impact he had on his patience inspired me at first. While in high school, volunteering at my local hospital taught me that I truly wanted a career in service. During my undergraduate years, doing an internship at an orthopedic clinic, job shadowing, and further health care volunteering opportunities taught me that I truly wanted a job that I could use my love for science to help others. Ultimately, medicine seemed the best choice.
I study medicine for ultimately a multitude of reasons. I’m passionate about giving back to the people that raised me and supported me. I want to be a leader and example to my local community. The most important reason is to be a teacher. Just as my mentors have done for me, I wish to continue being a positive role model and influence on the next generation of medical professionals.
What is your passion?
There are many things that come to mind, whether it’s my hobbies or my family. But ultimately, I am most passionate about mentoring and teaching. For all my successes, they would not have been possible without the support and guidance of various career mentors and my family. I want to continue that same legacy going forward for every student at all levels, whether they are a resident or a curious high school student.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
I hope to make the biggest impact at wherever I end up for residency. Whether it is teaching medical students or participating in community involvement, I want to positively impact my local community.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
I am still deciding between internal medicine or general surgery. I imagine the answer will change in the next coming weeks with rank lists and the match coming up. Some days I want to go to internal medicine. I love building relationships with my patients and really diving into their health. I love the mental puzzle that is internal medicine and that there’s just so many career pathways following an internal medicine residency. However, some days I like general surgery. I love procedure and being able to directly approach a problem through surgical manipulation and the finesse that comes with handling tissue and organs.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
Meeting everyone in person during Year 2 for the first time after spending a whole year online
Vadim Chesnokov
General Surgery-Preliminary, University of Washington
I was born in Eastern Europe and was a resident of Vancouver, WA, for 30+ years. I worked as a critical care nurse before medical school. I have been married to my wonderful wife Nadia for 4+ years and we are expecting our first child in March. I enjoy spending time with family, going on road trips, camping, and fishing.
What led you to study medicine, and why?
Growing up, I had the desire to do something that would make a positive difference in people’s lives as a career. Having a natural aspiration to pursue the medical field, I first became a nurse. This experience provided exposure to medicine and sparked a desire to continue my education to help patients with my training as a physician.
What is your passion?
As our founding dean, Dr. T, used to say, family comes before career. My greatest passion is my family and my wife, Nadia. She has been the greatest support throughout this entire journey and has made countless sacrifices for us to get through medical school. Secondly, I am passionate about my chosen specialty of anesthesia. I couldn’t be happier with this decision and excitedly look forward to training in this challenging yet gratifying discipline!
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
I hope to make an impact in the local community where I will train and where I will eventually practice anesthesia. Having experienced mentorship from countless individuals throughout my journey, I hope to also be a resource for future students interested in medicine.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
I decided to pursue anesthesia several months into my fourth year after experiencing my first anesthesia elective and falling in love with it. I enjoy the critical thinking aspect of this specialty with the potential to make on-the-spot lifesaving decisions that can help my patients, something that I already had an appreciation for as a former critical care nurse. Additionally, I enjoy the perfect balance between medicine, critical care, and procedural skills in anesthesia.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
One of my favorite memories from my time at the College of Medicine is traveling and temporarily living in various cities throughout Washington state, such as during my away rotations and rural rotations. I enjoyed exploring these new communities and connecting with passionate preceptors throughout the state.
Pierce Claassen
Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic – Arizona
Since I am the son of third-generation farmers from Clarkston, Washington, a small town in southeastern Washington state, pursuing a career in medicine was not the most likely path for me. My family has been immersed in the agricultural field for many decades, so making the decision to chase my dream of becoming a physician did not come without some inherent challenges. While my family’s legacy has always been inspiring to me, from a young age I have felt called to become a pioneer in my own professional discipline. With their love and support, I was able to complete my undergraduate studies then immediately matriculate into medical school. I am so grateful for the influence that agriculture has had on my life and feel blessed to have the privilege to chase my own dream of becoming a medical doctor. Farm to table––the operating room table, perhaps!
What led you to study medicine, and why?
It was my connection to nature, which manifested primarily due to my agriculturally-centered upbringing, that ultimately sprouted into my interest in molecular biology. As I progressed through high school, this interest matured into a passion for medicine that will likely never be satiated. I am so grateful to become a physician where I will dedicate numerous decades to studying the art and practice of medicine while empathetically caring for patients and their families on some of the most challenging days of their lives.
What is your passion?
My passion is to provide the highest quality of care to my patients. I will always see them as individuals with unique life experiences, rather than just a patient my clinic.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
Regardless of what I accomplish throughout my professional career, I hope to first and foremost make my family and friends proud of who I am as a man. I aspire to always work with good intention and remain open and honest with my patients.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
I chose to pursue a career in internal medicine with the intent of subspecializing within the fields of gastroenterology and hepatology. Having the opportunity to be involved with patient care, biomedical research, and medical education on a daily basis can be reasonably attained within these fields. It is my hope that practicing within internal medicine will allow me to develop into the physician I aspire to become to benefit the health and wellbeing of my future patients and their families.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
My favorite memory from my four years as a student within the College of Medicine was our first in-person gathering at the beginning of our second year. Many of us, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, had not yet had the opportunity to meet in-person. We were eager to return to a normal education, like what most of us had experienced throughout our undergraduate careers. Seeing my classmates for the first time after having went through such intensive training by their side, yet hundreds of miles away, was a feeling I hope to never forget. I am so proud of my colleagues within the College of Medicine and look forward to seeing the beautiful contributions we make to the healthcare field in the years to come.
Blake Cohoe
Orthopaedic Surgery, Travis Air Force Base/University of California Davis
I grew up on the Key Peninsula in the South Puget Sound of Washington state. I graduated from Vaughn Elementary, Key Peninsula Middle School, and Peninsula High School where I made life long friends and developed my love and passion for learning. I am forever grateful for all the amazing teachers I had along the way. After high school, I went to WSU Pullman where I majored in biochemistry and commissioned as an Air Force Officer from Detachment 905. I love medicine, getting food and drinks with friends, snowboarding, and being active. After my residency training I will serve as a physician in the US Air Force.
Throughout my life I have had some amazing role models and mentors. I am blessed with a big and beautiful family and many supportive friends. I wouldn’t be here without them.
What led you to study medicine, and why?
I love people and I love science! Everyday is a challenge and an opportunity to help someone.
What is your passion?
I am passionate about learning, growing my community and family, and being a better person today than I was yesterday.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
After I finish residency, I hope to provide personalized and high-quality orthopedic care to our service members and their families. After I finish my career in the military, I hope to return to Washington to serve the communities that have served and supported me the last 25 years.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
In orthopedic surgery, I have found a field that serves all ages and backgrounds and embodies the philosophy of supporting patients in living active, energetic, and pain-free lifestyles. Summers and weekends spent alongside my father renovating houses taught me the satisfaction of diligent labor, the creative joy of crafting with one’s hands, and the fulfillment of bringing tangible projects to fruition. These values align well with the attributes of an orthopedic surgeon. I feel fulfilled after a patient has a procedure that allows them to return to baseline or continue their previous activities of daily living. Finally, I love that orthopedics is a challenging and dynamic field; I appreciate the physical and mental components of the work.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
I have so many great memories of waking up early, studying on the car rides, and blue-bird powder days at Schweitzer Mountain with my classmates. So many great “second-to-last” runs.
Ali Comfort
Pediatrics, University of Utah Health
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
Beyond the impact of connecting with patients and their caregivers on a day-to-day basis, I hope to make an impact on my health care team, hospital, local community, and beyond through my passion for advocacy, child injury prevention, and medical education.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
I have been destined for pediatrics since the beginning! Walking step-by-step with children and their caregivers is such an immense privilege. This specialty combines all of my favorite things about medicine and why I chose to pursue health care in the first place––rapidly changing physiology, preventative medicine, patient/caregiver education, teamwork, and much, much more.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
One of my favorite things about the WSU College of Medicine during interviews was high-fiving fellow applicants in the hall changing stations for the multiple-mini-interviews in the Virtual Clinic Center. Many of those same people I interviewed with became fellow students, and we just high-fived during our last OSCE of medical school, in the same hallway in the Virtual Clinic Center between standardized patients. An incredible way to bookend this experience!
Ashley Edwards
Internal Medicine, Providence Health Portland
I was born and raised in Longview, WA, and completed undergrad at Western Washington University with a BS in cell and molecular biology. My family is the most important thing to me and I am lucky to have them all here in southwest Washington. I have a dog named Todd who is truly one of my best friends (I don’t think it’s mutual but that’s okay).
What led you to study medicine, and why?
Looking back, medicine was the obvious choice for me as someone who loves learning, loves physiology, and wants to make a difference, however it was really the interactions my grandparents had within health care that lead me to take the leap of faith and pursue medical school. My hope is to be the kind of doctor I wish my grandparents had.
What is your passion?
I have many passions. Medicine has to be a passion to some extent but outside of that my family is number one. I also really enjoy the stereotypical Pacific Northwest native things like hiking and camping as well as travel and all things flowers. And obviously my dog, Todd.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
I hope that on a day to day basis, I can help members of my community understand their health better. I want patients to be able to walk away from our encounters less confused and feeling more in control of their health. And I want them to feel heard, respected, and cared for.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
Internal medicine is truly the ideal specialty. It is broad and so it encourages you to explore every curiosity you have and there are few subject matters within medicine that you really have to “give up” if you go this route. It also leaves so many different career paths on the table which is helpful for those of us who are a bit more indecisive.
Fatima Elwalid
Family Medicine, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
I am a first-generation Libyan American and a native Arabic speaker. I grew up in western Washington and attended the University of Washington where I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. In my free time, I enjoy scrapbooking, photography, drawing, teaching/learning Arabic, and exploring historical parks. I am excited to begin my training as a family medicine physician and I am beyond grateful to the family and friends who have supported me! I am also thankful for the knowledge and perspective I have gained over the course of my four years in medical school from patients and teachers! And I am grateful for the lifelong friends I have made along the way!
What led you to study medicine, and why?
Growing up, I always wanted to be a doctor and maybe an artist. As a child, I figured I would join those two passions by opening a clinic and filling the halls with my art. As I got older this dream continued to grow with me as I studied, worked, and shadowed. My family, friends, and community were my biggest supports and always encouraged me to pursue a career that I enjoyed but would also allow to me to benefit others. While medical school created its own assortment of challenges, I was always thankful for the opportunity to be able to spend time learning about the amazing processes of the human body. Medicine has taught me to be patient, thoughtful, humble, compassionate, resilient, and curious, and I am thankful for these lessons.
What is your passion?
As a child of immigrants, I have observed the gap in health literacy in many of our communities and the impacts it can have. I have also seen the lack of representation of the health care providers who serve these communities and the effect of language barriers on their healthcare. My personal experience and my community’s experience have served as a strong motivator for my educational journey and shaped the projects and initiatives I pursue. I have a strong desire to continue to work and serve immigrant communities while also improving their access to care and empowering them through health education.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
My goal is to become a full-scope family medicine physician while building lasting relationships with patients and their communities. I hope that I can work with passionate individuals to improve the health of our communities wholistically. I also hope to continue to find ways to express my creativity through my passion for medicine. Most importantly, I hope to continue to address health inequities in our communities and advocate for social change.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
During medical school, I noticed that I enjoyed the days when our schedule started with a 75-year-old patient with knee pain and ended with an 18-month wellness visit. Suturing small lacerations and IUD placements were other aspects of medicine that I also enjoyed, as well as finding a fetal heart rate at prenatal check and then running to the hospital to deliver a patient’s fifth baby. These experiences led me to focus on family medicine because it would allow me to be trained in how to manage hospitalized patients, deliver babies, provide prenatal care, manage a clinic panel, and perform various procedures. The diversity of patients and medicine in family medicine made it the perfect fit for me.
Atrina Gharai
Internal Medicine, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
I love to eat and have obsessively been ranking restaurants I have been to all over the world. So far I’ve ranked more than 700 restaurants!
What led you to study medicine, and why?
I always had love for both the sciences as well as making connections with new people. To me, medicine seemed like the perfect blend of both. I have found myself the happiest when I have a chance to learn someone’s personality, culture, and background, all while working alongside them to improve their overall health.
What is your passion?
I love to travel and experience different cultures, ways of life, and foods! I am always on the lookout for where to go next.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
I hope that I will be able to make an impact by working with immigrant and refugee populations in the future and serve as an advocate for their health. I hope to also work on global health efforts when I become an attending physician.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
I found that my time on internal medicine rotations in the hospital allowed me to apply a lot of the medical concepts I had learned to real life patients. I felt the residents and attendings I worked with became my friends. Also, I would see patients who came to the hospital very sick become better due to the care we would provide. I love internal medicine because I am able to work alongside other physicians andproviders on a team and make a real impact on patients.
Astha Gupta
Internal Medicine, California Pacific Medical Center
During the White Coat Ceremony, I mentioned how I hope to live by the following quote, “If you are more fortunate than others, build a longer table, not a taller fence.” It is something I have lived by, and hope to carry with me for the rest of my life!
What led you to study medicine, and why?
Growing up, I knew that I was dealt a better hand than many people, and so I wanted to play a role in eliminating suffering anywhere I could. In college, I discovered that this was possible, and the most fulfilling, in the capacity of a physician. My passion for nutrition, mental health, science, mentorship, and teaching all led me to study medicine, and there was nothing else I could see myself doing. Although the road was hard, I am so beyond grateful to have made it here!
What is your passion?
Throughout medical school, my greatest passion has been living a “full” life. Not sacrificing one part of myself for the other, and getting to be a great student, daughter, future physician, community member, friend, etc.!
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
As I get to move on to the next chapter, and finally become a physician, I hope to always consider the obvious, and not so obvious, barriers that my patients face. More importantly, I hope to not be afraid to speak up about them to my colleagues and fight for my patients.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
Looking back, my passion for medicine started from volunteering in the hospital––getting to connect with patients in their most vulnerable state. My first day in internal medicine during Clinical Campus Week confirmed that there was no other specialty for me. I was in awe at the complex patient presentations, the multiple co-morbidities, the promise of life-long learning, and the listening ear that I could provide for my patients.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
My favorite memories are from Year 2 when we were all finally together in the lecture hall for orientation. It finally felt like the experience we all had hoped for––days like that in Spokane made that year the most fun! Med Prom was also unforgettable.
Bailey Hall
Interventional Radiology, Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
I grew up in Lake Stevens, Washington and am a proud first-generation college graduate. I completed my undergraduate studies at New York University, earning dual degrees in history and biology with a minor in chemistry.
What led you to study medicine, and why?
The intertwining between my lived experiences as a patient and my fascination with biochemistry led me to study medicine. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes more than 20 years ago and I’ve long said, “I want to become a doctor who is more than a walking textbook.” I have a profound appreciation for advancements in medical technology after having experienced the transformative power of innovation in diabetes management. I’m forever grateful for my journey to medicine because each obstacle has deepened my empathy, resilience, and dedication to service. I strive to be the person or bring the change I once needed while supporting those around me through their best and worst days.
What is your passion?
I am passionate about improving health equity, driving medical innovation, and upholding humanity in medicine. Beyond medicine, my passions include history, travel, plant-based cooking, and embracing new experiences.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
Throughout this next stage and beyond, I hope to bring positive change to health care by addressing inequities and improving patient outcomes. I aspire to consistently deliver compassionate, patient-centered care, advocate for those who need it most, and push the boundaries of medical knowledge and innovation.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
At the end of my first year of medical school, I became involved in a research project focused on personalizing the dosing of Y-90 radioembolization in managing hepatocellular carcinoma to optimize patient outcomes. This research exposed me to the ingenuity of diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, and nuclear medicine. I quickly became fascinated by the hands-on, precise medicine that was changing the prognosis of the most common liver cancer. When clerkships began, and I repeatedly felt frustrated by health care barriers and dissatisfied with the options we offered patients, I knew radiology was where I belonged. The field’s innovative diagnostic and therapeutic tools bring me unparalleled enthusiasm, and I look forward to the journey ahead.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
One of my favorite memories from my time at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine is Med Prom. It was an evening full of laughter and camaraderie, and a great reminder of how diverse and vibrant personalities within our medical community are. Med Prom reminded me to appreciate the lighter side of this demanding profession and strengthened the bonds that made my medical school experience truly memorable.
Ella Jarvik
Psychiatry, Mount Sinai Beth Israel
I was born and raised in Seattle, and have loved growing up in the Pacific Northwest. I am the daughter of two physicians who constantly inspire me and encourage me. I would not be where I am today without the love and support of my family, including my parents and my younger sister and brother. I attended Pomona College where I studied neuroscience. After graduating I worked at the University of Washington’s Adult Genetics Clinic before entering medical school. In my free time I enjoy theatre, reading, skiing, trivia, board games, and taking walks in nature.
What led you to study medicine, and why?
One might say I have a strong family history of physicians, including some incredible women who led me to believe I could accomplish anything, including a career in medicine. I actually started on the research side of health care, and slowly came to realize that the piece I found most rewarding was working directly with patients, that special relationship made me realize I wanted to be a clinician.
What is your passion?
During medical school I have had the opportunity to explore so many passions and learn from those who share them. I am fascinated by the complex interactions between our physical and mental health, our environments, and our genetic predispositions. I am also interested in bioethics and its multifaceted applications throughout medicine. I followed my passion for environmental stewardship into the field of planetary health, where a student-led effort helped implement this topic into our curriculum. I learned about the power of advocacy and community organizing from local to national leaders, and I hope to continue this work in residency and throughout my career.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
I have realized the immense opportunity that physicians have to reshape the lives of our patients through our clinical care, relationships, and advocacy. The trust and respect that we are granted is a powerful tool. I hope that I am able to live up to that opportunity to make a difference.
Brett Jones
Orthopaedic Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University
I grew up in Seattle in a family of five with a twin sister and older brother. I never thought I would work in health care until I started volunteering at a hospital in college. After I applied for medical school, I worked in an ophthalmology clinic where I found a passion for the operating room which has guided me throughout my clerkship years in choosing a specialty.
What led you to study medicine, and why?
I studied microbiology at the University of Washington, and during a career fair, Seattle Waste Management gave a talk about job openings for aspiring microbiology graduates. Soon afterwards, I pivoted my interests towards health care and started clinical volunteering. I enjoyed the personal interactions, and I felt much more fulfilled in this roll. Since then, I have not looked back.
What is your passion?
Helping patients reach their functional goals so they can resume careers, hobbies, and active interests. Outside of medicine, I love all activities outside especially in the snow or water.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
I hope to make an impact on my patients lives by giving them back their ability to live comfortable, active lifestyles so they can enjoy the things they love to do.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
I am pursuing a career in orthopedic surgery because I love the subject matter, I appreciate the finesse and techniques involved in the many different operations, and I love supporting patients through their orthopedic care.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
Snorkeling at Schweitzer with my friends.
Maria Jones
Psychiatry, Samaritan Health Services
I grew up in Bellingham, Washington.
What led you to study medicine, and why?
When I had my own experiences in the health care field that showed me just what a profound impact a physician can make on their patients as well as how difficult it can be for patients to access needed care, I couldn’t imagine anything that I would rather do.
What is your passion?
I’m passionate about mental health and wellness.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
Simply put, I hope to make people’s lives better.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
The specialty that I’m going into is psychiatry. It was a very natural choice for me. I love listening to people and connecting with them in a way that makes them feel heard and cared about. I also care enormously about mental health and am passionate about making an impact when it comes to the mental health of my patients.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
It’s such a tiny memory, but I remember during our first week of orientation, someone told us how common imposter syndrome is for medical students. And I remember them promising each of us that we belonged in medical school. I always held onto that memory when I felt the beginnings of imposter syndrome!
Shelby Koch
Family Medicine, Puyallup Tribal Health Authority
I was born and raised in the small town of Ephrata, Washington. I went to Western Washington University for my bachelor’s in biology/anthropology and then moved down to Norman, Oklahoma, for my master’s in Native American studies at the University of Oklahoma. I am a proud member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Outside of medicine, I enjoy bird-watching, alpine touring skiing, rock climbing, reading, and baking.
What led you to study medicine, and why?
A never-ending curiosity about science and evolution led me to medicine. I also wanted to serve the community and have a career where I could make a positive difference in peoples’ lives.
What is your passion?
My passion is for Indigenous health care, including affirming tribal sovereignty, supporting Indigenous language revitalization, and food sovereignty.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
I am very excited to be going into family medicine. I’m looking forward to the experiences and training that residency will bring. After residency, I hope to be a family medicine physician at a tribal clinic in Washington.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
I knew from the first day of medical school that I wanted to do primary care. What ultimately made me decide family medicine was the amazing relationship you get to have across generations. I also enjoy all of the aspects of medicine that you get to practice in family medicine including reproductive care, gender-affirming care, harm reduction, and mental health care.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
My first rotation of third year was OB-GYN and I was fortunate enough to get to participate in a delivery. I still remember the nerves and excitement that I felt when I realized my attending was having me deliver the baby, as well as the joy and rush of emotions that followed. It was an incredible way to start off my clinical years and I am very grateful to the patients who contributed to our education.
Jake Mansfield
Internal Medicine, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
I am a recipient of the USAF Health Professions Scholarship Program and will complete an Air Force Residency at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. My father also served as an Air Force Urologist. I graduated from a rural high school in southwestern Washington. I have a desire to serve my country and entered medicine from a humanities background with a degree in American studies.
What led you to study medicine, and why?
I wanted to enter medicine because it perfectly combined my passions of science and physiology with humanity and connection. Medicine is a field where providers can partner with their patients and work towards shared goals. It is also a field where I can serve my country and community and give back to the many people who have given me so much. Additionally, experiencing my spouse live with a chronic illness has further driven me to be the type of provider that would care for and help her.
What is your passion?
I really enjoy American history, art, music, and literature as well as outdoor activities in the Pacific Northwest such as mountain biking, running, and biking.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
I hope to serve longitudinally in my next role. I have witnessed first hand the difficulty that comes with rapid physician turnover and I hope to become a person who can help people with their conditions long term. Additionally, I hope to serve the men and women of the US Air Force.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
I choose internal medicine because I love waking patients up in the morning. But in all seriousness, internal medicine prizes detailed understanding and thorough investigation. It is the field that ties together all the body systems and is uniquely situated where one can learn from, be mentored by, and collaborate with compassionate health care members from almost all fields.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
One of my favorite memories was working with the Military Medicine Interest group. During the pandemic, our group sought for a way that we could encourage physical fitness and community among students, faculty, and staff, safely during the pandemic. We decided upon a virtual 5K race humorously titled the “Dyspnea on Exertion 5K.” I helped organize a race and with the help of a team, over 100 combined students, faculty, staff, and community members successfully participated in the virtual race.
I also enjoyed volunteering with the Steven’s County Mentorship Project as well as running in Spokane’s Bloomsday race with classmates.
Caitlin Mechtly
Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
I have a 10-month old daughter, who is starting to crawl and climb everything, and her hair is becoming curly (like mine)!
What led you to study medicine, and why?
I was a pharmacist before medical school and only saw a small part of the patient. I couldn’t shake the feeling that there is so much more to health than prescriptions and am studying medicine to discover the “more.”
What is your passion?
I’m still discovering my passion in medicine. Outside of medicine I enjoy trail running and understanding how ideas are developed, the impact of those ideas, and how those ideas shape our culture.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
I envision incorporating my family and community into my career. I do not know what this looks like at the moment, but my goal is to integrate all aspects of my life to pursue health for alongside my family, community, and the patients I will serve.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
During the third year, I realized I didn’t mind waking up early for my internal medicine rotation, and on other rotations it was hard to get out of bed in the morning. Also, my husband told me I came home happiest from my internal medicine days.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
Finally meeting everyone in person after our first year being entirely online.
Anna Nichols
Obstetrics and Gynecology, SUNY Upstate Medical University
My husband and I got married between third and fourth year. We have two dogs (Bodhi and Mae) and eight chickens! We love to ski and garden (our house was featured in the Spokane Garden tour in 2023!). My husband started a regenerative landscape company based in Spokane called Dryland Revival!
What led you to study medicine, and why?
Growing up in Texas I became passionate about reproductive justice and sexual health at a young age. Then after college I worked for three years as a mental health outreach case manager for women experiencing homelessness in Seattle. In this job I became familiar with various aspects of health care, from substance use to mental health to aging and disability to access to housing, and realized that I wanted to be able to provide both tangible support (medicines, interventions, etc.) as well as socio-emotional support, and felt that being a doctor was the best way for me to both be there for patients and be a leader in my community advocating for systemic change.
What is your passion?
Advocacy and education and removing stigma and shame, especially in regards to sexual reproductive health, end of life care, substance use, and more.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
I want to be a leader in my community, continuing to advocate for change and support those around me.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
I love the relationship between patients and doctors in OBGYN. This field is the perfect marriage of longitudinal patient relationships, caring for those with diverse and complex medical and socioemotional needs, while also being a surgeon.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
Organizing with the Medical Students for Choice Chapter and getting a group of students together to advocate for sexual health and abortion care at the Womens March in Coeur d’Alene and then speaking with fellow MSFC leads at the Bans Off Our Body Rally in Spokane on the impact of ending Roe.
Ashley Orth
Family Medicine, Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center
I was born and raised in Spokane, Washington, and have been fortunate enough to complete all of my education here thus far. I am married to my husband Jay and we welcomed our beautiful daughter in September of 2023.
What led you to study medicine, and why?
Growing up I spent a lot of time in the dermatology office. I had severe eczema and it was difficult to manage. My dermatologist was compassionate and stuck with me until we found a regimen that worked for me. She helped boost my self-confidence and helped me to feel comfortable in my own skin. My experience with her led me to study medicine. I wanted to provide that same compassionate care to others and help them to be healthy and happy.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
Once in medical school, I realized I had several different interests, including dermatology, endocrinology, and working with the underserved. I also really enjoyed forming relationships with patients and getting to know them. These combined interests made family medicine the obvious choice for my specialty.
Victoria Panwala
Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital
I have lived in the Pacific Northwest all of my life—I am originally from Portland, Oregon, and completed undergrad in Vancouver, British Columbia.
What led you to study medicine, and why?
Working in the field of health and drug policy research in Canada prior to medical school inspired me to study medicine.
What is your passion?
Pediatrics!
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
I’m keeping my mind open to different subspecialties within pediatrics, but for now, I think that I would like to pursue a career as a pediatric hospitalist or neonatologist.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
I so enjoyed my pediatrics rotations at both Randall and Sacred Heart!
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
In my second year, getting to meet all of my classmates in person once in-person classes resumed.
Sarah Peterson
Internal Medicine, University of Washington
I was born in raised in Newman Lake, WA, and graduated from Gonzaga University with my BS in biology and a minor in psychology. Following undergraduate, I attended Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio where I worked on my MS in applied anatomy, and from there obtained my Masters of Public Health in Health Policy and Management. I was fortunate enough to work in various research positions and medical labs as well as to volunteer during graduate school. However, I was beyond thrilled to be able to come back to Washington for medical school! As the first physician in my family, I feel blessed to be able to someday serve the community I was raised in.
Outside of medicine, I love anything and everything outdoors!! My biggest passions are skiing, running, and training for triathlons. I also love reading, listening to podcasts, and traveling.
What led you to study medicine, and why?
Throughout my undergraduate and graduate training, I was increasingly drawn to medicine where I knew I would be able to combine my love of human connection with science and critical thinking. Prior to medical school, through various volunteer opportunities and working in healthcare, I was able to see firsthand how our medical system works. I realized quickly that physicians are in an amazing position to help patients through important and sometimes traumatic parts of their lives while leading and working within a collaborative environment that promotes self-improvement. While initially medicine seemed like an impossible goal, the journey taught me to always be curious, work hard, and never give up.
What is your passion?
I’ve come to realize that promoting humanism in medicine is one of my greatest passions. One example of humanism especially stands out—I vividly recall an attending stopping mid-sentence during rounds, looking me dead in the eye, and telling me the antidote to burnout: learning one personal fact about each of your patients. I initially brushed this aside, but every time I would meet a new patient, this advice somehow found its way into the back of my mind. While presenting a patient, I realized I had forgotten to write down the patient’s name and all I could remember was that barely discernible scribble noting he was an avid fly fisher. To this day, the things I remember most about him are the stories his wife told us about his fishing trips. Humanism in medicine represents a higher level of care that requires physicians to be constantly self-reflecting. Approaching each patient as an individual, different from the last, and understanding and being sensitive to their background, their culture, and their beliefs allows us to see them as more than a diagnosis. Perhaps most importantly, taking extra time to understand differences in backgrounds and the impacts that may have on how they interact with the healthcare system requires altruism and humility to an even greater degree. If the pendulum in health care can swing toward involving a more humanistic approach, I believe we can work to enhance patients’ adherence to medical advice and improve overall health outcomes.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
I’m extremely interested in promoting advocacy and education, especially in the context of breaking down barriers for access to good care. I strongly believe that quality education is necessary to facilitate scientific fluency and awareness, regardless of age or academic background. I find it particularly important now with so much misinformation surrounding medicine and science. By being exposed to science literacy early on, individuals can build a stronger foundation of knowledge and advocate for their health by asking informed questions. Most importantly, they’ll be able to differentiate myths from evidence-based facts. And I want to be part of making that happen.
To better understand solutions to improved healthcare, I turn to my Masters of Public Health degree, which has given me a wholistic view, pointing out some of the socioeconomic barriers that prevent patients from obtaining good care. I recognize that creating a healthier state, starts with the overall well-being of our community members. This means looking at medicine from a macro-level, including lifestyle, environment, access to resources, and most importantly barriers to those resources. Many of these barriers are archways to both chronic and acute medical issues for these populations. As a physician, I want to be cognizant of these discrepancies and work to break these barriers down by moving the pendulum toward prevention and away from reactive medicine.
I am excited to begin residency and work not only as a clinician advocating for my patients, but also as a scholar and researcher helping to advance the field, and to serve as a mentor for the next generation of future physicians. I will always have a passion to help those around me and I want to put it to good use as a physician who can empathize with both the patient and family and is willing to do everything to provide the best care possible. Most importantly I hope to continue to find joy in medicine, working for my community making a difference in the lives of my future patients, both in the hospital and outside of it!
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
I came into medical school not entirely sure what I wanted to do. I approached every experience with an open mind. Every time there was an opportunity to explore something I was the first to sign up. I wanted to try as many different specialties as I could before making a decision and I was lucky enough to be able to do that! I fell in love with bits and pieces of nearly every specialty I tried. Ultimately, I let my curiosity guide me and I soon realized what I loved most were the interactions I had with patients and figuring out their final diagnosis. My experience in internal medicine was extremely fulfilling! I am drawn to the intersection between human connection and science. Nowhere is this intersection clearer to me than in internal medicine, where I can critically think about a patient, perform procedures, and connect with them. Someday I hope to be able to expand my expertise by caring for patients in hematology and oncology, which also offer a broad spectrum of people whom I will care for and work alongside. Further, I would also love to continue working on research and be a health policy leader working with other like-minded individuals to find solutions to help cure cancer!
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
It’s hard to pick just one, but some of my best memories while at the College of Medicine are while working in the ICU and during my rural medicine rotation. I was able to connect so deeply with patients on these rotations, whether that was talking about end of life with families in the ICU or being part of a small town where everyone knew me in Port Angeles! WSU has provided so many wonderful diverse opportunities to learn from patients! I am fortunate to have been able to attend medical school in my home state of Washington. My experience during medical school helped me develop my specific interests in medicine. And I am immensely grateful for all the support I received along the way from my family and friends, as well as the faculty. I am very excited for what is yet to come in residency!
Micah Steele
General Surgery – Preliminary, Stony Brook Teaching Hospitals
My favorite at home activity is cooking with our dog, Riley. He helps keep all the crumbs off the floor.
What led you to study medicine, and why?
I came to study medicine because it is invigorating, challenging, and constantly evolving.
What is your passion?
I am passionate about my family and sharing with them as we enter this new stage of our lives.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
I want to make an impact in my residency program and the community we serve. I am excited to contribute to the next generation of health care providers.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
I was drawn to surgery because it allows me to combine my love for problem-solving and hands-on procedures. The dynamic nature of surgery and the ability to improve patients’ lives are aspects that resonate with me.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
I recall coming to campus in second year for our in-person small group classes. It was so much fun collaborating with my classmates and learning cases together.
Olivia Thomson
Internal Medicine, University of Washington
I was adopted from China and raised in Seattle. I owe much of my success to my selfless mother as she worked hard to ensure I had a wonderful upbringing. During my free time, I enjoy running, biking, and cuddling with my cat!
What led you to study medicine, and why?
Growing up, I had some exposure to medicine as my mother worked as a nurse. However, it was not until I was a teenager when I was inspired to pursue medicine as a career after traveling to Nepal for a high school program. While there, I discovered my interest in learning about the challenges of health care delivery in a resource-limited setting. After this experience, I continued to shadow various medical specialties which solidified my desire to pursue medicine.
What is your passion?
I am passionate about making medicine more inclusive through diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. I am particularly passionate about mentoring students who are from underrepresented and underprivileged backgrounds.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
I hope to stay in the Pacific Northwest and care for the region’s underserved populations. I also hope to work in medical education as being in a teaching and learning environment brings me so much joy.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
I chose to pursue internal medicine because it is fulfilling to navigate the vast medical and social complexities of patients in order to improve their health and well-being.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
Living in Spokane for our second year of medical school was memorable as I was able to bond with classmates and faculty in person after spending our first year online as a result of the pandemic.
Adithya Vegaraju
Internal Medicine, University of Washington
I love performing magic and look forward to finding ways to incorporate this passion into my future career.
What led you to study medicine, and why?
When I was in the fourth grade, I spent a month in the hospital. Though I don’t remember much of that experience, I can never forget how the sense of calm and reassurance emnating from the doctors comforted my worried parents. I remember wanting to provide the same comfort and solace to others when I grew up. This desire led me to explore the health care field during college, ultimately crystallizing my decision to pursue a career in medicine.
What is your passion?
I am passionate about increasing access to health care for underserved populations, particularly those with limited English proficiency.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
As I move to the next stage of my journey, I hope to continue working on advocacy efforts to increase access to health care and positively impact patients who are otherwise excluded from the system.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
I found internal medicine as the perfect field to combine my clinical training with my interests in community engagement and patient advocacy.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
Impromptu outdoor small-group sessions when the weather was sunny.
Chris Vong
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine
My biggest idols are my parents. I am a Cambodian-American and my parents are refugees of the Cambodian genocide.
What led you to study medicine, and why?
My interest in learning about the human body, empathy towards others, and experiences in health care had all driven me towards the path of medicine.
What is your passion?
Within medicine, I am passionate about delivering high value care. Outside of medicine, I am passionate about sports, food, and board games!
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
I hope to be a national leader and mentor within my field, an advocate for increasing the practice of value-based care, and an expert within the realm of MSK ultrasound. Eventually, I would love to make an impact by engaging in full time clinical practice within my home state of Washington!
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
I first heard about physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) back in undergrad while volunteering with residents at a Seattle marathon medical tent. From that interaction, I learned that PM&R focused on serving patients with disabilities with the goal of improving their functionality and quality of life. I was a neurobiology major in undergrad and I have always loved living an active lifestyle. The combination of neuro and MSK within PM&R seemed like the perfect fit. I had the opportunity to start the PM&R student interest group at the College of Medicine, and I used it as a platform to further explore the field. PM&R is a very broad field and I loved the diagnostic and many procedural aspects of it, but what hooked me was the people and culture. PM&R is extremely rewarding because you get to work with a highly motivated patient population at some of the most vulnerable times in their lives.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
Spearheading the organization of Spokane’s inaugural Ultrafest, an intensive multi-institutional ultrasound workshop symposium!
Jeffery Weyand
Family Medicine, Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center
I like to work on projects (home, car, yard, etc.) in my free time.
What led you to study medicine, and why?
I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. I wanted to challenge myself and be a valuable asset to my town.
What is your passion?
Family.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
I hope to help the young boys in my church congregation to be better prepared for the responsibilities they will have one day as adult Christians, husbands, and fathers.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
I like too many things. I like variety, and I see myself as a generalist. The scope of family medicine allows me to adapt to the needs of the community I live in, whether that’s in rural Washington or abroad.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
The birth of my first child.
Susanna Winger
Medicine-Pediatrics, Medical Center of South Carolina
I was born and raised in Spokane, WA, and I am so grateful that I got the chance to complete medical school in my home state. I cannot thank my parents and my brother enough for all their support in the past four years, especially when they served as my “patients” so I could practice my physical exam skills. I also know I wouldn’t be where I am today without some truly incredible teachers, professors, mentors, classmates, and friends.
What led you to study medicine, and why?
I was enamored with the seemingly dichotomous roles all wrapped up into the title of a physician. Doctors are both leaders and teammates, teachers and students of the human body, professionals and confidants. It was this unique mastery of all these parts to become an effective healer that intrigued and challenged me. It also meant an opportunity to serve my community and help others live healthy and fulfilling lives.
What is your passion?
I am passionate about humanism in medicine, investing in my community, and mentorship and medical education. I feel very lucky that I got to explore these passions throughout medical school. Whether it be volunteering with local organizations working with refugees or people with disabilities, participating in the Stevens County Mentorship program, or serving as a chair for our school’s chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society, I was able to develop my skills as a leader with each opportunity.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
At the start of medical school, we were asked to create a personal mission statement that would guide us in the coming years. As cheesy as it sounds, I chose the following: To wake up grateful, spend my day doing quiet good for others, and to go to bed with no regrets. I believe it is far too easy in medical training to think about the future, so my goal is going to be to continue living by this motto. I want to enjoy the present moment as much as I can and see each new day as a chance to learn something that I can share with others to hopefully improve their well being.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
I have found great joy in interacting with patients at every age, and I like the complexity and collaboration associated with the inpatient environment. Whether it be ensuring that newborns have the best possible start to a long, healthy life or serving those in the final years of their journeys, my goal is to always remember that my humanity is far more powerful than my developing expertise. I am excited to join the Med Peds community and become a versatile physician that has the highest level of training in both pediatrics and internal medicine and who can bridge the gap for young adults with chronic illnesses or treat a newborn in one room and a centenarian in the next.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
Too many to choose from! Delivering a baby for the first time in my OB-GYN rotation, completing a newborn exam in pediatrics on a set of twins, suturing laparoscopic trocar sites during a surgery, performing a paracentesis in the emergency department, the countless interactions with patients who were so encouraging and kind in their most vulnerable moments. I’ll never forget when I had the honor of being an invited speaker to the national Anatomy Connected Conference in Washington, D.C., where I presented my research to professionals in anatomy medical education and represented WSU at the HIMSS Conference in Chicago, IL, where we discussed the latest technological innovations in healthcare. I am proud of being inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. However, my favorite memories involve the friends I made throughout my four years and the way we supported each other through the highs and lows of medical school.
Kelsey Yenney
Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
I wore the same shirt (that said I Want to Be Megan Rapinoe When I Grow Up) and socks (that benefited research efforts on Malaria) for every test of medical school…USMLE exams included.
What led you to study medicine, and why?
I grew up an athlete and having that special bond with my body and the opportunities it created with me started this fascination with the human body. Being raised in a small town allowed me to see the impact a physician has on their community. Those two things ultimately led me to medicine and this underlying desire to be altruistic in all ways of my life kept me there!
What is your passion?
Making sure to keep true to myself outside of school and medicine. Doing things that I enjoy with people I enjoy. And getting plenty of cuddle time with my soul pup, Jersey, and snuggle bug, Tobin.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
I really just hope to be a resident that everyone is excited to work with. I hope to be the doctor who changes people’s perception of what doctors are––especially people who have been historically mistreated in the health care setting or have had poor experiences because of a label or identity they carry.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
Emergency medicine is a place where any human can interface with the health care system at any time for any reason. I think it is such a special place where providers self-select to serve all kinds of populations, but especially vulnerable ones, to do right by patients and the health they deserve. Also EM physicians are real (and hilarious) and I want to be one of those kinds of docs!!
Kevin Zhou
Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic – Arizona
It’s been a lifelong dream to become a physician, and I am incredibly excited for residency. My hope is to return to Washington after residency to serve its communities.
What led you to study medicine, and why?
At an early age I was drawn to science and technology. Medicine is a beautiful intersection of understanding the human condition, the socioeconomic factors that contribute to our well-being, and the science behind our health.
What is your passion?
Working with urban underserved communities and street medicine.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
Too many people who are struggling to fulfill basic needs are lacking the means to follow up after a hospitalization, which results in increased rates of readmission to the hospital for the same problem they were previously admitted for. I hope to continue working with urban communities in a multidisciplinary approach to learn how to facilitate a smooth transition from hospitalization to primary care follow up.
What led you to your specialty? Why that one?
The patient population, wide variety of fellowships options, and flexibility of practice drew me to internal medicine. I am particularly interested in pursuing a future in infectious disease or addiction medicine.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
Being able to visit the campus and see my classmates for the first time in person after COVID restrictions were lifted.