Hometown: Jefferson City, MO

What do you like about Kansas City?

There is always something going on. KC is full of coffee shops, festivals, parks and more so it is easy to find something that fits your interests.

Why did you choose UMKC’s School of Medicine?

I completed my undergraduate degree at UMKC, and I knew I really liked the KC area. It has been helpful to know some of the students ahead of me because it feels like I always have someone to ask for advice.

What has been your most rewarding experience as an M.D. student thus far, and how has it shaped your journey in medicine?

UMKC School of Medicine has a docent program that puts students in the clinic early on in medical school. I find it really rewarding to follow up on patients I have seen before and talk with them about their lives. A lot of those patients will ask how we are doing in school too, so it feels like that patient-physician relationship starts early and helps us get feedback from people that are more comfortable around us.

How do you see the School of Medicine supporting your future goals in the world of medicine?

I have met a lot of great friends at UMKC that I know will be part of my life and potentially future practice. As an M.D.-only student, I am part of the whole cohort that is my class and a smaller group that is the M.D.-only students. Since we started off cycle we bonded quickly and have been part of each other’s lives in many ways since meeting including weddings, trips and more. A support system is crucial in graduate school, and I can absolutely say that UMKC School of Medicine has provided me one in the friends I have made here.

A final piece of advice I have for prospective students is …

Try out everything you are even remotely interested in. A lot of us have an idea of what we want to do for a career and are surprised to find we have a passion for something completely different, be that a different specialty or completely different career path. It’s worth a deeper dive if you’re curious.

Hometown: Lee’s Summit, MO

What do you like about Kansas City?

Besides having the best football and barbecue in the nation, the thing I love about Kansas City is the sense of community. We have almost all of the attractions of a large city with an almost small-town feel. Some specific places/areas I love are the Nelson-Atkins, the Crossroads (KC’s art district) and Joe’s KC BBQ.

Why did you choose UMKC’s School of Medicine?

Outside of being from the area, I believe UMKC excels in its clinical education. Specifically, some things that made the school stand out are docent units and the additional internal medicine rotations. The docent unit allows you to get early clinical experience, have a student and a physician mentor, and gives you a reliable community that can help you excel throughout medical school.

What has been your most rewarding experience as an M.D. student thus far, and how has it shaped your journey in medicine?

As an M2, my most rewarding experience would have to be my time spent in clinic. After the completion of your basic sciences courses in M1, students are assigned to docent groups and start to provide care in a primary care setting. This clinic allows you to apply and expand upon the medical knowledge you learn in the classroom while also being a significant part of the patient care team. This experience has further inspired me to pursue a primary care specialty.

How do you see the School of Medicine supporting your future goals in the world of medicine?

While it’s hard to anticipate my needs after medical school, I can say that UMKC’s resources for students have been more than adequate. Whether you have questions about finances, residency applications, board exams, or need help with your mental health, UMKC has someone to assist. If you are unsure where to start, UMKC also assigns each student an Education Team Coordinator; someone who ensures things run smoothly while traversing the tough medical school curriculum.

A final piece of advice I have for prospective students is…

Make sure you have a true desire to become a physician before applying. I encourage almost all applicants I meet to take a gap year and explore the field of medicine. Go and get experience, preferably in clinical roles like a nursing or medical assistant. A gap year may seem like a delay, but effectively using this time will pay off tenfold for your future career as a physician.