Hometown: Wheeling, WV
Undergraduate Degree: BS, Biology and Chemistry, West Virginia Wesleyan College

1. What made you decide to get your MD degree at WVU?

It is an instate school and I personally thought it was where I would get the best medical education in the state. Plus I have always felt like a Mountaineer.

2. What is appealing about the MD program?

You have a good clinical experience. You get to see a lot in the clinics; even some rare things that you would like be able to see just anywhere. Also the involvement of the faculty and administration is great. The ‘Dean on Call’ program is wonderful; the Deans are there if you have a problem at anytime during the day. Also the faculty is really focused on teaching you medicine.

3. What is your favorite part about the MD program?

My favorite thing is that you learn to respect the patient. Not just diagnose them, but interact and comfort them when they need it.

4. You received one of the highest USMLE Step 2CK scores in history at WVU. How do you balance school, home, and social life?

I learned so much on rotations and would go home and study a little more. A lot of it is cumulative knowledge. Plus WVU really prepares you for the boards. They have you take a subject specific board exam at the end of every rotation to make sure you are ready to take the USMLE.

5. Do you think being involved in the MD degree admissions committee has added to your experience at WVU ?

Yes, it is interesting to see what goes on. What we are doing is so important. We want the best people here at the WVU School of Medicine and I feel like I am making a difference by being on the committee.

6. What are your goals after graduating?

I would like to do a residency in internal medicine and stay here at WVU. I would like to be a hospitalist. I am not sure if I will specialize right now, but I do like palliative care. I got a lot of satisfaction by helping patients and their families during a difficult time.

7. What is your favorite thing to do outside of school?

I like to cook and go out to eat. When I was younger I used to paint and now I am starting to paint again. I also leaned how to crochet in medical school for Project Linus in the Hospital and found that to be enjoyable. I also occasionally like playing video games.

8. Do you have any advice for anyone who wants to attend medical school?

Make sure you shadow doctors so you get to see what medicine is really about because what you see on T.V. like ER, Grey’s Anatomy, and House are not what really happens. Also get good counseling and advice. Our Deans here do a great job giving advice; so do not be afraid to ask for help. Also take as many science classes and learn as much as you can during your undergraduate school. That really helped me a lot.

Interviewed in the Spring 2008
During the MS4 Curriculum