Program Ambassadors

 

Our Program Ambassadors are alumni from our program who are now in medical school or current residents!  Our non-traditional career changers and college extenders continue to blaze a trail for success as they become the physician they always wanted to be!
Check out WHAS Great Day Live Interview with two of our alumni!  Click here.

Eli Miller

Some goals in life seem so big that you question whether you can achieve them.  Medical school falls into that category for most of us.  The U of L post-bacc program took this massive undertaking and broke it down into manageable pieces that anyone with enough grit can take on and turn that aspiration into a reality.  The guidance and support of the program helped me gain the trajectory that I am on, and it can help you do the same thing.  You will not regret choosing this program as the starting point for a medical career!
Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (Knoxville Campus) Class of 2025, PBPBMP 2019 Cohort 

Tyler Howard

Going into the Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Med Program at the University of Louisville was a big decision for me, and I am sure it is for you as well. I had an established career as an enlisted member of the United States Air Force, so taking the risk to become a doctor was not something that I took lightly. I came into the program with a BA in business and absolutely ZERO background in the sciences. My goal was to find a program that was academically supportive, and the leadership for the PBPMP exceeded my expectations. There are opportunities that come from being a part of this program that you won’t have otherwise - information sessions that allow you to speak to physicians from all types of specialties, personalized guided academic resources/counseling/mentorship, and much more. The people that join this program are great and will become some of your best friends! I truly believe that without this program I would not be where I am today and would strongly urge you to apply TODAY!!!
University of Kentucky College of Medicine (Bowling Green Campus), Class of 2025, PBPMP 2018 Cohort

Doug Nash

My experience with the University of Louisville Post-Bacc Pre-Med Program is through the lens of a person in their mid-30’s, married, and with experience on active duty (US Marine aviation), graduate business school, and hospital administration. Before arrival, I was apprehensive about the rigor of Post-Bacc classes. I hadn’t taken a ‘hard science’ in some time, physics was never much of a friend, and I had minimal (i.e., no) experience in organic chemistry. The journey ended up being a challenge for sure, but I succeeded in ways I previously hadn’t considered possible through the fantastic resources and support this program offers.

The leadership fosters a genuine sense of community within the Post-Bacc cohorts. This feeling additionally extends to the University of Louisville School of Medicine, as Post-Bacc alumni and school faculty frequently speak with the program and answer questions. You’re also guided to academic resources and kept on track for med school application with volunteer and professional research activities. If you’re looking to approach pre-med courses with a group of classmates who care about your success, and an established program that structures and guides the entire process, you should give serious thought to exploring this one.
University of Kentucky College of Medicine (Bowling Green Campus), Class of 2024, PBPMP 2018 Cohort

Justin White

"As I started my career as a speech-language pathologist, I knew I wanted to know more and do more. Feeling limited in my scope as a therapist and with many clinical questions unanswered, I decided to return to school to become a physician. University of Louisville's Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medicine Program was the perfect fit for me. It allowed me to continue working while completing the prerequisites I still needed. The program's support has been unparalleled and set me up for success in pursuing medical school.  

I completed my Bachelor of Science in Human Communication Sciences at Northwestern University with a minor in Spanish. I then went on to the University of Iowa, where I completed my master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. As an undergraduate student, I considered going into medicine since I knew I enjoyed understanding the body, problem-solving, and helping others. However, it wasn't until I started practicing clinically as a speech-language pathologist that I realized how much more I wanted to know and to do. Doing only behavioral therapy with patients, though rewarding, was not wholly satisfying. I wanted to know more about how the body worked. I wanted to know more about medication interactions. I wanted to be able to do more for patients. This was not all that surprising to me. Though I considered continuing practicing speech pathology for a few more years, I realized that that thought was based in a sunk-costs fallacy. I had also gained some insight from working alongside otolaryngologists and other resident physicians, which helped me solidify my decision to go back to school. I am now a student in the University of Louisville School of Medicine's Class of 2023."
University of Louisville School of Medicine, Class of 2023; PBPMP 2017 Cohort

Tyler McChane, M.D.

It’s a huge decision to return to undergrad with the goal of becoming a doctor, and it comes with a lot of sacrifice and uncertainty. I can’t imagine going through it alone, which is why I am so grateful to Tonia and Shonna and the entire PBPMP for all the support and guidance I received over those two years. This program connected me with so many opportunities to grow as a student, to improve my academic record, and to strengthen my resume with volunteer and shadowing experience. You will benefit from a built-in support network and all the information you needed to guide you through this process, from academic support to enrollment counseling to the MCAT and medical school applications. Furthermore, the pipeline to ULSOM admission is a huge source of confidence and motivation. Finally, I can’t overstate how great it was to have a group of amazing and diverse colleagues in the program who became instant friends. We survived countless hours of lectures and labs together, and also had a good dose of fun outside of class.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Class of 2021, PBPMP 2015 Cohort, Family Medicine Resident.

Amorkor Sogbodjor, M.D.

I was a part of the postbac program and this program gave me opportunities that I never would have dreamed of. This program bridges us closer to your dreams as long as you're willing to work efficiently. This is an amazing program and would recommend it to anyone who's looking to make a career change.
University of Louisville School of Medicine, Class of 2019;
PBPMP 2012 Cohort, Med-Peds Resident

John Whitaker, M.D.

The post-bac program at the University of Louisville has been one of the best educational experiences I’ve had to date. Tonia and her team go above and beyond to ensure that you have the resources you need to succeed in the undergraduate pre-reqs, the MCAT and making it into medical school. There are a lot of post-bac programs out there, this is the one you want if you are serious about getting into medical school.
University of Louisville School of Medicine, Class of 2021; PBPMP 2015 Cohort
Orthopedic Surgery Resident

Ashlee Margheim, M.D.

Towards the end of nursing school, I started having doubts about whether it was truly the right career for me.  I felt limited by the scope of practice I could provide to my patients and found myself constantly wanting to know more.  I didn’t even know that U of L’s Post-Bacc Pre-Med program existed until I heard about it through a friend.  The timing could not have been more fortuitous—after meeting with Tonia for the first time, I knew it was the right path for me.  The program allows you to move at your own pace, which was perfect for me since I decided to work as an RN while completing the requirements.  Even though it’s been a long road to get here, I can finally say that I’ll be practicing as a medical doctor in just a few months!  I wouldn’t be in this position if it weren’t for the support of this amazing program.
University of Louisville of Louisville School of Medicine, Class of 2020; PBPMP 2013 Cohort, Dermatology Resident 

Dr. Beaupre

Randall "Beau" Beaupre, M.D.

Hey all, my name is Beau and I am an Emergency Medicine resident at Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ. I graduated from Arizona State University with a B.S. in Construction Management. After spending a few years in the trenches working in the construction industry (quite literally at times) I realized that life was no longer for me. The Post-Bac Pre-Med program at UofL changed my life forever and I would not be where I am today without the program or it’s incredible faculty. The Post-Bac Pre-Med program allowed me to become the physician I dreamed of being while giving me the confidence I needed to put life “on-hold” to go back to school for 6 years. Not only did the program provide the credits I needed to apply for med school, but also gave me experiences and opportunities that shaped my career path and the field of medicine I chose. The camaraderie I felt while in the program was like none other and has provided me with friendships that will last a lifetime. If you are on the verge of a career change and thinking about pursuing medicine, just know that you can do it! The Post-Bac Pre-Med program was a vital stepping stone along the way for me and I know it can be for you as well.
University of Louisville School of Medicine, Class of 2019,  PBPMP 2013 cohort, Emergency Medicine Resident 

KRIS COLLMAN, M.D.

"I applied to the U of L Post-Bacc Pre-Med Program after practicing law in Kentucky for nearly 10 years.  While I enjoyed the aspects of my prior career that involved problem-solving and working directly with people, I always felt drawn to the medical profession but thought that I didn’t have the time or resources to make becoming a physician a reality.  The Post-Bacc Pre-Med Program changed all that by giving me the support, encouragement, and structure that I needed to help me reach my goal of being accepted to medical school and becoming a physician.  Participating in the Program is one of the best decisions I have ever made, and I will always be grateful for the people who believed in me and the friendships I made along the way.”
University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Class of 2022; PBPMP 2016 Cohort, Psychiatry Resident

EMILY O'NEIL, M.D.

After graduating with my B.A. in Psychology from the University of Kentucky, I found myself unsure of what to do next.  I had always imagined going to graduate school and pursue counseling and research. However, shortly before graduation, I decided – for reasons that still remain a mystery to me – that I no longer wanted to follow this career path.  Thus, I graduated without a plan or a job.  Fortunately, the employment that I eventually found helped me realize that I had a passion for people and healing.  Participating in the UofL Post-Bac Pre-Med Program has truly been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Not only did I have unparalleled support from faculty and advisors that helped me be successful in class, but I gained amazing friendships that have continued into medical school.  Gaining acceptance into medical school is as incredible a commitment as medical school itself.  I encourage anyone who has a passion to pursue medicine and is looking for support during the career transition to consider the UofL Post-Bac Pre-Med Program.
University of Louisville School of Medicine, Class of 2022; PBPMP 2016 Cohort, Internal Medicine Resident

MORGAN ROBINSON, M.D.

I went to undergrad at Centre College where I graduated in 2016 with a degree in Behavioral Neuroscience and Spanish.  I had spent some summers in undergrad working in human resources for a hospital, and thought that was where I was going to end up when I graduated.  However, after some shadowing opportunities I was able to participate in because of my job, I decided that being a physician was the right career for me.  Through UofL's postbac premed program I was able to not only complete my pre-med requirements, but the program also strengthened my passion to become a physician by providing opportunities to interact with physicians and serve in the community.  Additionally the support that I received from my advisors and my peers in the program helped me to complete the program and smoothly transition into medical school at the University of Louisville.
University of Louisville School of Medicine, Class of 2022; PBPMP 2016 Cohort, Pediatrics

MALLORY TOBER, M.D.

My name is Mallory Tober, and I am a first year medical student at the University of Louisville. I am originally from south-eastern Connecticut, but my family and I have moved around quite a bit over the last 10 years. These days, I consider Louisville my home. I studied violin at the University of Connecticut during my undergrad; then, I spent some time post-graduation serving as a volunteer. Along the way I had some pretty amazing experiences and got to meet a lot of people that were different from me. I helped- or at least hope I helped- survivors of domestic violence heal through art and music. I worked in a community clinic in a underserved village outside of Dumaguete, in the Philippines. I filled huge jugs of water in the middle of the Sonoran Desert for the migrants that passed through. After working in a shelter for women that had become pregnant while they were experiencing homelessness, I decided it would be the coolest thing ever to help babies be born. I trained to be a birth doula so that I could accompany the women I worked with to their births and help them have a more empowered experience. As the end of my term and San Antonio approached, I decided that it was time to get serious about studying medicine.  Becoming a doctor had been on my mind for years, and my experience as a volunteer only deepened my passion for serving my community as a health care provider. I did a lot of research before I applied to programs and the University of Louisville stood-out immediately because it offered much more support for students than the other programs. Getting into medical school is tough, and I didn't want to have to go it alone. The University of Louisville Post-Bacc Pre-med Program gave me the tools I needed to apply to medical school and a supportive community to help me get there.
University of Louisville School of Medicine, Class of 2022; PBPMP 2015 Cohort, Child Neurology Resident