Tulane-bound pre-health grad brings artistic view to medicine

How did you decide to pursue the pre-health path?

I always knew that I wanted a degree in biology, but it wasn't until I started to volunteer in the pediatrics unit at MCV (VCU) that I decided that I definitely wanted to pursue a career in medicine. From observing the physicians there I saw that a career in medicine would bring together all the things that I love most—science, interacting with and helping people, creativity and artistry.

Tell me a little about your pre-health experience at Richmond.

One of the best things about the program here is the MCAT prep course. It was a really great resource to have—I didn't even need to take the Kaplan course. The most helpful part about it was all the practice questions and tests that we were required to take.  When it came time for me to take the real MCAT, I knew that the test format and question style would be familiar and that really helps to put you at ease so you can focus on the content.  

Was there a professor or class that was especially influential?

First of all, Dr. Vaughan is a fantastic adviser. I have talked to students from other schools around Virginia, and from what I can tell, Dr. Vaughan offers much more advice and resources to his students that most other pre-med advisers.  He is really helpful with walking you through the application and he works hard putting together lots of workshops and other discussions.

In terms of classes, I think that genetics is of particular value, as well as biochemistry. And of course, the earlier you can get the required pre-med classes done, the better. If you can have them all pretty much finished before the MCAT, it's really helpful. The medical humanities courses are also really great to take. I took a class called "The Healing Arts" about biomedical ethics as well as Dr. Mayes' Health Care Policy class.

How about the process of getting into medical schools—did you feel prepared?

Both of the classes I mentioned were really helpful when it came time for me to interview—I was able to talk about a lot of different topics. Honestly, I'm not sure that I would have gotten into all of the schools I did if I hadn't taken these classes. They taught me a lot about the current state of the health care system, insurance, global health issues, and hot topics in medical ethics.

Your major/minor combination looks like it led to a pretty diverse course load. Did you ever find crossover between your two interests during your time at Richmond?

As I got into upper level art classes, I did actually begin to see a lot of crossover between the science classes I was taking and the studio art I was creating. Many of the pieces I made were themed around the ideas of the natural world vs. the scientific or synthetic world (i.e. genetically modified plants and animals, etc) and the role of the scientist within that struggle for what can truly be called nature. In addition I began to realize that biology, chemistry, and even physics often dictated how I could use different mediums in my artworks. Understanding the physical properties and limitations of each medium really helped me to expand my works. 

Do you see potential for these fields to meet in the future, now that you’re out of a liberal arts environment?

I could definitely see possibility for crossover between these two fields in the future as well. As a future physician, I am going to have to study a lot of science in the next several years. I think that continuing to pursue an artist’s path as well would help me to take what I am learning and apply it in a completely different context so that I don't get stuck looking at things in only one way. It will keep me well rounded, and give me a chance to exercise both sides of my brain.

Speaking of a liberal arts environment, how do you think this kind of academic experience has shaped you as s student, now that you’re off to med school?

I think that the liberal arts education I got at Richmond really helped me to become a more balanced student, and therefore a more balanced person.  I don't think anyone should ever get too caught up with one subject. As I learned in my medical humanities classes, and through my own practices, medicine and science are not limited only to doctors and scientists. A basic knowledge is essential for artists of all kinds, and it is helpful for all people.

In the same way, I am glad that I have taken classes in foreign language, history, art, literature, philosophy, sociology, etc. I think that I can take every experience I've had and everything I've learned and use it to relate to my patients. Not only that, but taking all these varieties of classes has opened my eyes to the world around me, and I am more aware and always observing and learning. It's a great thing not to have tunnel vision when you're studying. If I had only focused on science, I would have missed out on so many important lessons that I can now apply to my life now as well as to my future as a physician. 

More Department Features »