Editor’s Note: Each month, InterCOM will highlight a “Student of the Month” from the College of Medicine. Students will be featured for their participation in activities outside of medical school and for making a difference in the community. The goal is to recognize students for what they are doing and to encourage other students to get involved in the community. After all, medical school should be much more than studying.
Personal:
I have been a Nebraska resident for my whole life – born in Omaha, high school in Gretna, college at Nebraska Wesleyan University and medical school here at UNMC. My father, Paul, is a school psychologist for Gretna Public Schools, and I have three supportive sisters, two older and one younger. My degree from NWU is in biochemistry and molecular biology, and, while there, I also found some time to develop my musical skills and deepen my interest in mathematics with minors in both areas. I am a fourth-year medical student currently in the middle of the interview season with hopes of matching into a neurological surgery program in the spring.
Activities:
-Vice president and founding member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Medical Student Chapter
-Research with the Department of Surgery and Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery
-Student provider at RESPECT Clinic
-Participant in Student Alliance for Global Health-led service trip to Falmouth, Jamaica
-Academic tutoring for first-year medical students in anatomy and teaching assistant for High School Alliance
Hobbies:
-Classical piano
-Choral music
-Yoga
-International travel
Staying Balanced:
Music is my main modality for staying balanced during medical school. This comes in many forms: finding new music on Spotify, playing my piano during my free time, and going to concerts in Omaha and around the country. My two favorite concert events I have been to this year are The Meadows Music Festival in New York City where I saw artists including Kygo, Kanye West, and Chromeo, and Beyonce’s Formation World Tour in Chicago.
Otherwise, I also find stress relief in trying new foods both here in Omaha and around the world. My favorite restaurant here is Kobe Steakhouse at Village Pointe. In my opinion, you can’t get better fried rice anywhere else, but I am definitely open to hearing about places that may be able to compete.
List three things people may not know about you:
-I have traveled to 14 countries so far with full intent on increasing that number. My favorite location by far is Bangkok, Thailand. The Grand Palace has the most fascinating architecture and the Pad Thai is incredible.
-I am scuba certified. The most amazing thing I have ever seen underwater was in Belize 70 feet below the ocean surface surrounded by the world’s second largest barrier reef.
-I love playing Nintendo video games. The game I am playing currently is Mario Kart Wii, but my all-time favorite game is Super Mario 64.