Our student spotlight continues to shine on our students!  They are determined,resilient and committed to fulfill their aspirations to become a physician.  May you be inspired by their stories! Click on their name if you'd like to learn more about their experience or gain some advice on applying to the program.

Claire Kennedy

2022 Cohort

Share your academic and career background.

Despite being relatively fresh out of college, going back to classes with predominantly college- aged students was an adjustment, as I felt that I had moved on from that stage of my life. It was also isolating, as there was less for us to connect over compared to my past college experience. While this disconnect from most of my peers was tough to get used to, it was significantly lessened by the existence of my post-bac pre-med cohort. Taking the same classes, studying together, hanging out with them, etc. has made me feel significantly less alone. The experience of the non-traditional pre-med student is so specific that no one can fully understand it except others going through the same thing, and it is such a relief to be able to talk to others who understand the unique difficulties of our situation. The disconnect between me and most of my peers has been more than made up for by my post-bac classmates.

How do you stay motivated on your pre-med journey? Share a motivational quote, motto or song that keeps you going!
When I was in high school, I struggled a LOT in advanced biology. I would meet with my teacher after school frequently for help, and one time when I was really struggling and feeling down on myself, he showed me a song, “This Too Shall Pass” by OK Go. It really stuck with me, and I still listen to it when I’m feeling defeated. It’s a great reminder that there will be bad times that feel insurmountable, but life keeps moving whether we want it to or not, and good times will come again. No matter how big the obstacle or how painful a moment, this too shall pass. (The music video for the song consists of a Rube Goldberg machine which is super cool and nerdy, so I highly suggest watching that too!)

How have you benefitted from the program so far?
It is hard for me to envision what going through this program would have been like if I had done it alone. I cannot adequately describe the importance the post-bac cohort has held in my life the last year and a half. There have been tough moments where I’ve questioned if I’m cut out for this and doubted my own capabilities, and every time they have been there to encourage me and push me forward, just as I do for them. I take great comfort in knowing that I’m not alone in walking this untraditional path. The significance of this community cannot be overstated! I also could not overstate the importance of Tonia and Shonna in my path. They are our biggest cheerleaders, always spreading positivity and encouraging us. They want with everything in them for us to succeed and they do everything in their power to make that happen. I could never thank them enough for changing my life with this program.

Share some advice for a prospective applicant or an incoming student.

Melissa Bailey

2022 Cohort

Share your academic and career background.
I have degrees in music and nursing from Western Kentucky University.  I started my nursing career in the intensive care unit, and I currently work in a post-anesthesia care unit.

What led you to pursue medical school now?
During nursing school, I realized medicine might have been a better fit for me because I enjoyed the science classes and always wanted to know more.  I felt that I wouldn't be able to gain admission to medical school because I didn't have the confidence I needed at the time.  After I graduated, I continued to have a desire to follow the path to medicine.  Working through the pandemic taught me that life is short, and I didn't want to spend it wondering "what if?"

Share some challenges you have encountered and/or adjustments you’ve made as a non-traditional student?
I found this past summer especially challenging.  I bought a home, took organic chemistry, and studied for the MCAT while continuing to work as a nurse. I leaned heavily on my cohort during this time because most people didn't understand the amount of studying that was required.

How do you stay motivated on your pre-med journey?  Share a motivational quote, motto or song that keeps you going!
In addition to having my cohort to lean on, I have three wonderful cats.  Sophie was adopted this summer, and I refer to her as my organic chemistry stress kitten. I've also been fortunate to have one of my best friends staying with me while she is in Louisville for work.  She helps keep me grounded.

How have you benefitted from the program so far?
I can't say it enough.  Having the cohort to lean on for support is invaluable.

Share some advice for a prospective applicant or an incoming student.
Just take things one day at a time and lean on your peers for advice and support.  You can't do this alone.

Ive Muse

2022 Cohort

Share your academic and career background.
My academic background is a mix of humanities and social sciences. I decided to pursue a bachelors in psychology at NKU after starting a novel based on my childhood. I thought studying psychology would enable me to add more dimensionality to the characters. After attending NKU for a year, I discovered my passion for philosophy and decided to transfer to UofL, where the philosophy department is a bit more robust. From UofL, I received a B.A. in Philosophy with a concentration in Social Sciences and minored in Psychology. I had the opportunity to do research as an Undergraduate Fellow with the Interdisciplinary Consortium for Social Justice Research, where I learned the importance of translational research for marginalized and underrepresented communities. Intending to pursue a PhD in Philosophy (Bioethics) to continue this research, I went on to receive an M.A. in Health Care Ethics (also from UofL), during which I conducted research on queer health justice as a Research Fellow.

What led you to pursue medical school now?
My decision to pursue medical school, in hindsight, was a matter of timing and ability. It wasn't until my mid-late 20s that I gained a certain level of stability in the social and interpersonal spheres of my life, which enabled me to pursue the rigor of pre-medical courses. As a first-generation college student who has been living independently since 16, I was no doubt out of my depth when I started college the first time around. Although my writing, research, and focus in philosophy always served to aid others, those things -- writing, theorizing, researching -- felt more attainable to me than becoming a doctor. Although my experiences with gender-affirming care are ultimately what evoked in me the desire to change my path to practice medicine; it was meeting who is now my wife, and integrating with her family, that provided for me the network of support (emotionally, mentally, physically) that makes this path much easier, more comfortable, and more realistic for me.

Share some challenges you have encountered and/or adjustments you’ve made as a non-traditional student?
As a non-traditional student, there are many challenges to be faced. Some are self-inflicted, others are inevitable. Inevitable challenges include the age gap between myself and the general undergraduate population, which has felt a bit isolating when not accompanied by other non-traditional students. I also experienced a steep learning curve. Because my background is more theoretical and analytical, I found it to be a lengthy process learning how I can best study/comprehend scientific information. My background taught me the skills to question and debate the world as we experience it. Science starts from the same point, but ends in a completely different place, which wasn't totally clear to me during my first semester. I had to learn to put boundaries around my scope of inquiry.

How do you stay motivated on your pre-med journey?  Share a motivational quote, motto or song that keeps you going!
Honestly, my goals in medicine are quite specific, as informed by my own experiences, and those of others I've learned about throughout my research. It is the knowledge of how greatly queer communities need queer physicians which keeps me motivated on this path.

How have you benefitted from the program so far?
The Post-Bacc Pre-Med program at UofL is unparalleled. The level of investment Tonia and Shonna provide for not just each cohort, but each student, is what makes this program so unique and such a great opportunity. Every aspect of this program is meticulously thought-out to ensure our success. Although there are pre-scheduled volunteering and monthly enrichment sessions with various doctors and students that we must attend, there is also enough flexibility for us to engage in our own activities. For myself, I have shadowed on my off days, and conducted research as the Lead Investigator for an education research project with the Department of Biology throughout my duration in the program. Lastly, the assured admission this program provides alleviates an extreme amount of anxiety. You won't have to worry about standing out as an exceptional student among thousands of applicants to X amount of schools at the end of this program. Once accepted to the program, a seat is held for you at ULSOM come your year of graduation as long as you meet the requirements for assured admission. If you don't meet the requirements for assured admission, there are alternative routes for you to take, including a gap year, which will give you time to boost whatever you need in order to get to where you want to be. Ultimately, this program has provided for me the structure I needed in order to confidently meet my personal and professional goals.

Share some advice for a prospective applicant or an incoming student.
To prospective applicants: I cannot stress enough the importance of a network of support on this journey. Particularly for those of us who are coming from a more theoretical perspective. If for some reason you do not currently have a network of support as robust as you may desire, and you are undoubtedly ready to pursue your goals of becoming a physician, then this IS the program for you. This program offers a small cohort of individuals and structured experiences that foster camaraderie. Students here have the opportunity to take classes together, study together, and again, the support from Tonia and Shonna is everpresent. Just submit the application and see what happens! 

To incoming students: congratulations! You've found a gem of a program. Be sure not to overload yourself. As Tonia says: take it one assignment, one exam, one class, at a time. The goal is to become a doctor, and you've already been accepted to medical school. Just stay focused, stay humble, acknowledge your limits and adapt using programmatic and university resources. You got this. 

Sabel Overlin

2021 Cohort

Share your academic and career background. 
I graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2019 with a Bachelor Science in Middle Grades Education.  After graduating, I worked for several years in Jefferson County Public Schools as a Middle School English Language Arts teacher.   During college I worked in my college’s Career Counseling Center as a Writing Consultant and as an Assistant Teacher at the Early Childhood Education Center. 

What led you to pursue medical school now?
It was not an easy or convenient time to pursue medical school, but it never will be! In order to make this happen, I had to make a big decision for myself and my family.  Teaching was a great job, and my family was supported and happy.  So, I could continue on the path that I was on, but would always have a “what if” in the back of my head.  Or, I could put in an enormous amount of work, but ultimately fulfill my dream of going to medical school.   

I have had an interest in pursuing psychiatry for years, but did not feel confident considering my lack of a science background.  Finding the Pre-Med Post Bacc Program inspired me to take a chance on myself.  After that, everything fell into place, and I have been successfully taking pre-med courses and preparing for my upcoming admissions cycle.   

Share some challenges you have encountered and/or adjustments you’ve made as a non-traditional student?
My first year of the program I was working fulltime as a Middle School Language Arts teacher and was pregnant with my second baby.  To be fully transparent, it was an incredibly difficult year.  I would recommend, if at all possible, to work only part time or, ideally, become a full time student. 

Even with these challenges though, I made it to the other side.  This required me to completely overhaul my study and organization methods.  I had to learn about the most efficient and effective ways to learn.  Before beginning the program, I would highly recommend looking into Anki, which utilizes spaced repetition, and switch to active recall study strategies.   

After the birth of my daughter, I took a maternity leave for one semester.  Life still happens outside of the program.  During this time I still felt completely supported by the program and was able to keep up to date with the speakers and events.   

How do you stay motivated on your pre-med journey?  Share a motivational quote, motto or song that keeps you going!
Any time that classes have gotten overwhelming, I remembered why I started this.  For me, it was for my kids- to show them that their dreams are worth chasing and the value in hard work and determination.  For you, it will be different, but it is always good to have a concrete reason why you are doing this.  This path is not easy, and you have to have a truly intrinsic motivation. 

One of the ways that I remind myself of this is by having pictures of my kids close by.  Seeing them on my screensaver and notebook covers reinforces my motivation everytime I open them up to study (which is a lot).  In general, having a strong support system is very important.  I know that there are people in my life that will help me, which gives me peace of mind and motivation. 

How have you benefited from the program so far?
Having the structure of a Post Baccalaureate Program has given me a personalized roadmap on my path to medical school.  Tonia provides updated pre-med checklists and also checks in on you every step of the way.  She not only is a great resource on the in’s-and-out’s of the application process, but she is also compassionate and always ready to help.   

Also, having the guaranteed admission to U of L Medical School was one of the main reasons that I applied to the program.   When you are already in a career it might feel crazy to make such a drastic pivot, especially if there is a chance that it may not be worth it in the end.  With the assured admissions protocol though, you can feel assured that, as long as you meet the requirements, there is a guaranteed spot for you.   

Share some advice for a prospective applicant or an incoming student.
Do not, do not, do not sell yourself short.  Before becoming a student in this program, I thought that there wasn't a chance that I could become a physician with no science background.  That is really not true though.  Is it difficult? Yes.  Is it impossible?  No, you will surprise yourself with how capable you are. Even if you have never been in a college level science class before, you can learn.   Looking back on how much progress I have made and how much I have learned brings me such a sense of pride and accomplishment.  In just two years from now you can be in the same place.  Believe in yourself and take the first step.

Stephanie Comer

2021 Cohort

Share your academic and career background.
I attended the University at Buffalo where I obtained a bachelor’s of science in Nursing. I went straight from finishing nursing school to this program so my background is not very extensive. 

What led you to pursue medical school now?
There have been a multitude of reason that have led me to medical.  Growing up I always had an inkling that I wanted to become a doctor but coming from an American Haitian background I was taught that after I graduated college I had to have a major and that I could get a good job. My family pushed me into nursing. As I went through nursing school I realized that this is not what I wanted to do with my life but I did not at the time have the confidence in myself to take the risk and bet on myself and switch to a major that would satisfy all of the prerequisites for medical school. I also would love to be part of the solution to help end the battle of systemic racism in healthcare and encourage more African Americans to go into the field and to provide a safe space where we feel comfortable obtaining preventive and sick care. There have been numerous studies that help to support that African Americans are an underserved population in healthcare due to systematic problems, and that representation matters when it comes to advocating and making changes. 

Share some challenges you have encountered and/or adjustments you’ve made as a non-traditional student?
The Post-bacc program; it was nerve-wracking to move to a new city where I did not know anyone and I was going to be fully independent and on my own for the first time in my life. I also decided to use my degree and work as a full-time nurse while going to school part-time. The first 6 months of work was a huge learning curve both in life, work and school. There was so much to learn, do, process, and juggle. I also had to make friends and attempt to have a modicum of a social life so I would not go stir crazy just doing school and work. I had to create a Louisville support system and that took time and energy to do while still making sure I kept up with my family and friends back at home. Overall it was a lot and the first couple of months were not easy ones. 

How do you stay motivated on your pre-med journey?  Share a motivational quote, motto or song that keeps you going!
I am not going to lie I have had many moments of self-doubt and questioning if this is actually what I want. My father always said “Anything worth having isn’t easy” so when things get extremely difficult, I just put my head down and work. I also could not image what else I would do with my life. I love helping people and want to experience how to do it in a different capacity than in nursing.  

How have you benefitted from the program so far?
I have benefited greatly from the program. I have met amazing people on this journey and many of them are my close friends now. This program is also taking my one step closer to my goals and dream. The best part of this program is Tonia though. She is the heart and soul of Post-bacc program and I do not think I would have made it this far or completed it without her. She is always there with a check-in and meet the needs of all of the students in the program. Honestly, she has made the program worth it.    

Share some advice for a prospective applicant or an incoming student. 
For prospective students, I would strongly advise not to work and do the program again. I did it but I think the school aspect of my life would have gone better if I was not working. I would also say make sure to take care of your mental health; this is a draining and long journey and you need to make sure not to get burnt out easily. Whatever is your stress relief make sure you add that to you daily or weekly schedule. Lastly, do not tie your identity to your school work or grades because you are so much more than them.

Denton Bayles

2021 Cohort

Share your academic and career background.
I graduated from BYU with a B.A. in History in 2007 and from Willamette University with an MBA in 2012.  I then worked as a financial analyst for 10 years.  During that 10 years I also had the slightly unusual, but awesome opportunity to serve as the emergency response team leader for our office. 

What led you to pursue medical school now?
My career in finance was a perfectly viable and successful one.  I could have easily done that for the rest of my life.  Everything started to change when I joined the emergency response team at my office.  My employer was concerned about the liability of a medical event happening to an employee at a building that they owned so about two dozen of us were certified in first aid, CPR and AED usage.  I ended up leading that team after only about a month.  I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this new role.  My spouse could tell which days I had worked with the team and which days I hadn’t within just a few minutes of me returning home.  It was then that I realized that my current career was not something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.  It took me about five years from when I decided to make the change to ending up at the University of Louisville.  I initially had a deferred acceptance to a different program but that ending up falling through for various reasons.  That delayed things by about two years and was disappointing at the time.  However, during that time there were several additional events that reinforced my desire to become a physician.  My wife was hospitalized, diagnosed, and surgically treated for a potentially life-threatening condition, I broke my ankle, and we had our fourth child just to name a few.  Each of these events in addition to increased shadowing and volunteering felt like they were leading me towards a bigger, broader understanding of healthcare and were connecting me with people (something that was missing from my current career).

Share some challenges you have encountered and/or adjustments you’ve made as a non-traditional student?
I think for me as a husband and father the biggest challenge was simply choosing to come here.  We sold our home and moved half way across the country to come to this program.  I quit my job and was back to living as a broke student.  Ultimately, I think that has helped me.  For me, I had to be willing to dive all the way in and be dedicated to this completely and I think that has made the biggest difference.  You’ll have challenging professors and difficult tests but for me that was offset by the strengths I bring as a non-traditional student.  This was now my job.  I have the life experience and maturity to help me deal with those challenges as they come up.  

How do you stay motivated on your pre-med journey?  Share a motivational quote, motto or song that keeps you going!
Burn out is real.  There are definitely days where learning physics and organic chemistry make you feel like this is not what you signed up for.  I’m lucky.  My spouse is all in with me.  Supporting me and sometimes pushing me along.  My faith is also extremely important.  Not only is it a comfort but it serves as something to help me get out of school physically and mentally.  It gives me a chance to associate with others that have completely different concerns and problems.  It gives me a chance to serve and help others.  I think it’s very important to have a support system and something that helps you get away from school like a church, possibly a job, or hobbies.  The rest of the world keeps on rolling even while you’re in school.  Don’t live a temporary life.  The program is up to two years, medical school is four, residency is 3-5 more, and possibly a fellowship after that.  This isn’t ending any time soon.  You still need to live your life in a way that makes you happy and benefits those around you. 

How have you benefitted from the program so far?
I’ve learned a lot.  Unless you have a background in science it’s unknown how well you’ll understand it or how well you will do.  There are certain aspects of science that you may find interesting but I think it’s different to begin to understand what aspects of science are actually your strengths.  Sometimes those are the same but it may also surprise you.  There has been some great professors and some that I’ve struggled with.  There have been some really interesting classes and one or two that I hope I’ll never have to think about again.  It’s teaching me to be resilient.  You need to be dedicated to become a physician and push through the low points. 

Share some advice for a prospective applicant or an incoming student.
At some point something will not go the way you planned.  You might get a lower grade than you wanted in a certain class.  You may struggle on the MCAT.  You might have a problem with an application.  My biggest advice is to accept that reality now.  Unfortunately, there’s no way for you to know which thing(s) you will struggle with but you can choose how you’re going to react to it.  A lower than expected grade in a class cannot prevent you from becoming a physician.  A lower than expected MCAT score cannot prevent you from becoming a physician.  Only you can prevent you from becoming a physician.  You will need to be persistent and you can do it!

Andrew Givens

2021 Cohort

Share your academic and career background.
My academic and career background (just like my pre-med journey) is a bit all over the place. I have a bachelor's in English literature, and I also minored in philanthropy and non-profit studies. I started off studying education, but wasn't sure I wanted to be in the classroom and so leaned towards the more theoretical side of things. Upon graduation, I hoped to go to graduate school and pursue a PhD in literature. I still have yet to get that PhD, but chasing it down led me to most things I now hold dear. I wound up in Louisville after college and worked in education, web development, the non-profit sector, and more. I once counted, and I think I've had ~30 jobs in Louisville from 2015-2023. I have always juggled a combination of jobs that stoke my passion and vision and jobs that pay the bills. I've been everything from a barista to a summer camp instructor to a figure model. In 2018, I took a birthworker (or doula) training, and loved learning about pregnancy, birth, and reproductive health. I was pregnant in 2019 and had my kid in 2020. In the wake of becoming a parent and the Covid-19 pandemic, I got really curious about what it would take to become a physician myself. Once I decided to pursue the post-bac, I found my first job in healthcare‚ as a patient access coordinator at a local family medicine practice that sees a lot of queer and trans patients. Since then, I've also worked as a nurse aide, cardiac monitor tech, biology lab instructor, standardized patient, and graduate researcher. My wife is a similar jack-of-all-trades humanities nerd turned healthcare worker, so our tax returns and resumes are usually obnoxiously lengthy, but it's been a fascinating journey, and will certainly influence my perspective as a doctor.

What led you to pursue medical school now?
My own experiences as a patient are largely what led me to medical school. When I was pregnant, I was diagnosed with gestational hypertension/preeclampsia and hospitalized for a week. Though that was really scary and difficult, being in the hospital was a really transformative experience for me and I knew I wanted to spend more time there, particularly supporting other people in their vulnerable, strange, or scary moments. (I wrote more about that experience here, should it be of interest: https://www.romper.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-changed-career-med-school-doctor.) One thing led to another, and the post-bac pre-med program at U of L came up when I was Googling "med school pre-reqs." I noticed an info session happening the next day, and decided to keep following the breadcrumbs of this emerging dream. I logged onto a video call expecting a large group of people and thinking I'd just keep my camera off and listen. Turns out, it was me, Tonia, and two other students, so within minutes I was talking to the director of the post-bac program (camera AND mic on!) and feeling even more excited about the possibility of medical school.

Share some challenges you have encountered and/or adjustments you’ve made as a non-traditional student?
I have had to learn that my GPA as a single young college student studying the humanities looks pretty different than my GPA as a non-traditional pre-med student, parent, spouse, hospital worker, and graduate student tackling courses like physics and organic chemistry. Being a non-traditional student has required me to embrace being different from many of my peers and has taught me to be willing to carve my own path.

I guess I like being different, because I think I am even a non-traditional non-traditional student. When planning out my courses for the post-bac program, I kept thinking that I would miss humanaties classes, and figured that taking some more familiar classes in addition to my basic science courses would help me stay motivated. Before I knew it I was talking with the director of the Philosophy Department's Master's in Healthcare Ethics program and asking the post-bac committee for permission to enroll in both programs at the same time. I will finish both programs in May, and am ever grateful to the many folks who have parsed my behemoth transcript, signed one of many course permission forms, helped me find answers to the questions no one else has ever asked, and cheered me on every step of the way. In the same year, I've taken 100-level courses and 600-level courses (and one semester also taught 200-level courses). I've gotten A's and F's on exams. I've been an undergrad and a grad student. I am the weird philosophy student who's studying for the MCAT and the weird pre-med student who is writing papers about Nietzsche in between studying for exams. I am the nurse aide who is going to be a doctor, and I am the night shifter who stays up most days. Each of these hats, roles, and experiences has taken adjusting to and come with its own challenges, but I continue to enjoy weaving it all together and figuring out what's next.

How do you stay motivated on your pre-med journey?  Share a motivational quote, motto or song that keeps you going!
Being around medicine in ways that are meaningful to me is one of my biggest motivators. My journey to medicine was incredibly personal, and finding personal significance in the hospital, classroom, and clinic continues to be one of the things that keeps me going even when things are tough. My wife and I both started to medically transition in 2021, and as of three weeks from now, we will have had three gender affirming surgeries while I've been a student in the program. Not to air our medical records, but I think since I started the program we (between the two of us and our child) have seen our primary care doctor, pediatrician, a cardiologist, an orthopedic surgeon, a handful of psychiatrists, a sleep doctor, an ENT, a urologist, a handful of emergency docs, and a couple of plastic surgeons. Endless engagement with the good, the bad, and the ugly of the US healthcare system—both as a patient and as a professional—gives me an endless supply of things to be curious about and ever-increasing motivation to engage in the work of helping patients, doing science, and dismantling oppressive systems that limit who can thrive in our current practices of medicine. 

 I also love to share knowledge and passion for medicine with my family. My dad is a veterinarian and has a PhD in Microbiology, and one of my brothers is a (traditional) pre-med student on roughly the same timeline as me. My wife decided to pursue nursing after seeing how much I enjoyed the first year of the post-bac program. I love sharing the fun, the weird, the gross, and the hard stuff with each of them (and asking all three of them for help with my homework!). Our three-year-old also loves medicine, and sharing it with her—whether we're culturing toe jam in petri dishes under the bathroom sink, making up songs about her grandma's hip replacement surgery, watching helicopters land and eating cafeteria french fries at the university hospital, or telling bedtime stories about unicorns in need of c-sections and organ transplants—always inspires me to continue on (and continue enjoying!) this path.

How have you benefitted from the program so far?
I am continually surprised and encouraged by the ways that this program invests in its students as people first and foremost. You've likely gotten the impression that I like school...and I do! But this program has a special place in my heart, and has been one of the most supportive academic communities I've been a part of thus far. From community building to help making a study plan for the MCAT to check-ins from two people highly invested in my success (and on my terms, not anyone else's agenda or timeline), the leaders of the post-bac program have made my journey to medical school much smoother and more possible than it would have been otherwise. I was lucky enough that this was my local post-bac program, so it wasn't a stretch to imagine coming to U of L for the program, but as soon as I learned the details, I was sure that this was where I wanted to be. I think I even said in my interview when asked what I'd do if I didn't get in, "well, I would find something to do for a year, ask why I didn't get in, and see you back here for an interview next year!" The committee was gracious enough to let me in the first time, but I feel sure that I would have stuck around even if they hadn't. In my experience, the post-bac program at U of L is that good—I get so excited to tell people about it whenever I meet someone that says "I've always wanted to be a doctor, but..."

Share some advice for a prospective applicant or an incoming student.
Don't be afraid to be weird, to bring your full self to this program, to make it what you need it to be. Be open to hearing that you might need to lighten your course or workload, reschedule the MCAT, or consider a different class/schedule/specialty/etc., but also be willing to dream big about your plans and your goals. Continue to articulate and pursue your vision of your life and work, even when it doesn't make sense to anyone else yet (and even when you don't quite know how it's all going to work). Ask for help, send emails or knock on doors anytime something catches your attention and feels like something you want to pursue, and take advantage of the many resources at your fingertips.

Heather Reynolds

2021 Cohort

Share your academic and career background
As far as school, I've been a little bit of everywhere around the state of Indiana, as well as surrounding states. I graduated with my associate's degree in nursing from Ivy Tech Community College-Sellersburg campus in 2012. I then went on to obtain my BSN from Purdue University Calumet (now Purdue University Northwest) in 2014. In 2016, I graduated with my MSN from the University of Cincinnati, with a family nurse practitioner focus. I began working as a registered nurse in early 2013 right after initially graduating with my ASN, and I worked as an RN in several fields, including acute care, home health, and long-term care. When I graduated from UC in 2016, I transitioned from working as an RN to working as an FNP, where I've worked in fields including primary care, urgent care, and telemedicine. I've stayed working full-time since starting the program. 

What led you to pursue medical school now?
I initially started college at Indiana University with a pre-medicine track. However, life events (including the birth of my oldest child) led me to take a hiatus from school for a year, where I reflected on my life's track. I had a burning desire to finish what I started, but I had to be realistic at the time, because I had a child to take care of. With much thought, and with the help of my family, I decided to put my desire of becoming a physician on the back burner, and applied for nursing school, so that I could still work in the medical field. While nursing has been an extremely rewarding field, I could never shake the thought of "what if?". I spent a while researching ways to go back to finish what I started, and that's when I found U of L's postbac premed program. 

Share some challenges you have encountered and/or adjustments you’ve made as a non-traditional student?
As I mentioned above, I've stayed working full-time through the program. It has been difficult to say the least juggling work, school, as well as parenting my two children. In order to make it through the program successfully, I prioritized, prioritized, prioritized. On days that I had to work, I did my job and did it well. After work, and on my days off, I would study as much as I could, as well as spend time with my children. I've had a massive amount of help from my husband, who took a lot of the "parenting work," as well as my family. Going back to school while working and being a parent was a huge adjustment, but I wouldn't change it for anything. 

How do you stay motivated on your pre-med journey?  Share a motivational quote, motto or song that keeps you going!
What has kept me motivated on my pre-med journey is knowing that I'm making a better life for my children. I want to show them that they should never give up on their dreams, no matter what life may throw their way. I found a quote that's perfect for my situation, and for many others out there going through the same thing: “Some days she’ll have no idea how she’ll do it, but every single day it still gets done.”

How have you benefitted from the program so far?
The program has been immensely rewarding in more ways than I can count. Tonia and Shonna are amazing mentors, and are always there as a listening ear, and always have your back, no matter what! The enrichment sessions are super insightful, as we can hear from many different types of physicians, and what their stories are. It has also been rewarding to give back, and to volunteer to help those in need. The cohort also has each other's backs, and I don't know how I could have gotten through some of my classes without their help, as well. It's nice to see familiar faces in class when you're lost in a sea of students! 

Share some advice for a prospective applicant or an incoming student.
I know that going through the website or an informational session and seeing all of the things that need to be completed can be overwhelming, but it can be done. It's going to be difficult. It's going to be the most challenging thing you've ever completed, but you'll be so proud of yourself once it's done. Try not to look at the big picture, because it can be overwhelming. Take things one day at a time, one assignment at a time, and before you know it, you'll be done. Don't be afraid to speak up in class, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. The REACH center offers tutoring, which is really helpful, as well. Find what works best for you! 

Heyeon Park

2021 Cohort *Currently a first year medical student at the University of Louisville

Share your academic and career background
I graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2013 with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and a M.S. in Applied Mathematics. With my academic background, I pursued career in data science at Aetna, a healthcare insurance company, for eight years.

What led you to pursue medical school now?
With biomedical engineering background, I have thought of pursuing medicine like any other biomedical engineers at school. Soon I realized I love numbers and data analytics more than engineering, product designing, and lab work. I decided to pursue a career that can incorporate analytical skills and landed at Aetna, a healthcare insurance company. Here I was exposed to various side of healthcare insurance business, from provider to members to products, and used data science skills to solve business problems. My last few years of work was around creating and optimizing the network of providers for commercial and Medicare/Medicaid programs. The main focus was to improve the healthcare access and quality. More and more work gets done, it seemed like I was just doing same work with data, and not making a big progress to improve the access or product quality. It was discouraging that some of the healthcare issues are hard to be resolved with sophisticated analytics because of the regulations, the policies, the cost, and myriad factors. This was when I started to look outside. Thinking of a career that could have more direct impact on people’s everyday healthcare. The thought led to a career change towards medicine, to bring direct impact in people’s lives rather than running programs behind the computer monitor. One person may not be able to change the whole system, but I believe that one physician can change many lives and it would be a more meaningful and fulfilling life for me. 

Share some challenges you have encountered and/or adjustments you’ve made as a non-traditional student?
Being out of school for eight years, the transition going from a full-time employee to a full-time student was definitely challenging for me. Work had fixed hours, with clear goals for the day, the week, the quarter and the year. Somewhat repetitive. School is definitely different. Once your classes are done, you are done, but not really. There are a lot of information to intake from different classes and they get entangled because all of them are connected one way or another. I had to find time here and there dedicated for studying. It took some time for me, but as I got hang of it, it became more manageable and doable.

This seems a bit stupid, but because I was out of school for long, I forgot how to ask science questions. Google is a great friend. When I have a question while studying, I turn to google first. But with science questions, often it was hard to phrase the questions and the results were more confusing to understand or provided more details than what I need to know. So, I started to reach out to the professors and the TAs, the experts. Going to the office hours and emailing them with the questions made me more productive because I was able to get the answers that registered to me right away, rather than browsing multiple pages online trying to make sense by myself. And long run, this ended up being a tremendous help to build relationships with professors at UofL. 

How do you stay motivated on your pre-med journey?  Share a motivational quote, motto or song that keeps you going!
This journey definitely has ups and downs. For me, monthly enrichment sessions have been very motivational. I never got to speak to physicians or medical school students personally before. Hearing about the doctors’ and current medical school students’ ups and downs in their journey through the medical schools, the residencies, and the professional experiences during these sessions have been intriguing and encouraging.

Also volunteering at UofL hospital and Family Community Clinic helps me stay motivated. Observing healthcare professionals working all together to provide the care to patients and being a part of assisting patients have been a great reminder of why I wanted to take this journey. 

How have you benefitted from the program so far?
First of all, without Tonia and Shonna, I am not sure where I would be at this point. My plan B if I didn’t make it into this program was doing DIY Post-Bacc. With my plan B, I would’ve been all alone, not knowing what to do with no connection. Thinking about it, I am very thankful to have Tonia and Shonna in this journey. They have been providing continuous support, guidance, and advice. If you are interested in something (like volunteering, shadowing, specialties, simulation lab, team building), they will find people, events, or organizations to help you to expand your experience in medicine. Also, this program comes with a great community of people, who are striving for the common goal. Being able to have the peers and the mentors who understand what you are going through is really important, and it always reminds me that I am not alone in this and have people to talk to.

Share some advice for a prospective applicant or an incoming student.
Everyone has different style of studying, so find what works for you the best. Some people can do 15 minutes here and there, but that never works for me. I must set an hour to two to really focus and work. Sometimes the studying can be overwhelming, but remember more things are coming, and this is to train you for your future.

Look for help if you are having a hard time with classes. All the professors I’ve had at UofL are very friendly and willing to help. They know their job is to teach you and to help you academically. So, go to their office hours and email them with questions. There is no such thing as a stupid question. I was worried how I was going to ask for the committee letters for my application to professors. And this became a great way to build relationships with professors. Also, if you think the professors are intimidating, there are plenty of other resources to get help academically. PALs, REACH, SLAs. Utilize them.

Lastly, Tonia, Shonna, and your cohort are here for you to be successful together! You are never alone in this journey.

Shelby Lands

2021 Cohort *Currently a first year medical student at the University of Louisville 

Share your academic and career background
I graduated from the University of Louisville in 2014 with a B.A. in Psychology. I gained experience as a supported employment agent assisting people who may have had various types of disabilities to seek and maintain meaningful employment. Though I enjoyed my position, I felt that I had more to contribute to my clientele so I enrolled at Morehead State University and graduated with a M.S. in Clinical Psychology in 2018.  After graduation, I have worked a wide array of positions in community mental health and therapeutic services through Ky Probation and Parole.  Before applying to this program, I provided mental health and addiction therapeutic services. In this role as a therapist, I not only gained invaluable skills, but became very connected to my clients. 

What led you to pursue medical school now?
With the awareness of the barriers many of my client’s faced in receiving therapeutic and medical services, I made the decision to return to medical school. The role of a therapist allows you to have a truly unique relationship with a client. A major role is the ability to build a therapeutic relationship with a strong foundation of trust and respect. With this, I’ve gently listened to the concerns and the perceived barriers to receiving adequate medical and therapeutic services. I am extremely appreciative to have had client’s openly discuss these problems because it reignited a desire to pursue medicine.  I felt I had a purpose and a responsibility to find a way to alleviate these barriers and for me that beginning a career in medicine.  

Share some challenges you have encountered and/or adjustments you’ve made as a non-traditional student?
One challenge for me was being confident in my decision to return to university to pursue a career in medicine. Being labeled a “non-traditional” student and watching my friend’s continue to grow their families and careers was a challenge for me. Though my path was different than other pre-medical students, I have gained experience and skills that are invaluable in medicine. Luckily, U of L’s pre-med post-bacc program has a wonderful and supportive staff. Thank you Tonia and Shonna! 

At the beginning of the first Fall semester it may seem daunting to have a schedule filled with Chemistry, Biology, and Physics, but the UofL’s faculty provides so many helpful resources. I would recommend becoming familiar with the REACH department and utilize your PAL.

How do you stay motivated on your pre-med journey?  Share a motivational quote, motto or song that keeps you going!
A quote that passes through my head is “it takes a village.” In the program if you are feeling overwhelmed or doubtful, it is important to communicate and reach out to your family, friends, cohort, Tonia, Shonna, or anyone. Having a great support group and people to gently remind you that this is a temporary stepping stone has been my greatest blessing on my pre-med journey.

How have you benefitted from the program so far?
Firstly, this post-bacc pre-med program is wonderful! Tonia and Shonna are the best pre-med resources!  They are both extremely optimistic and enthusiastic about each and every student’s journey. It can feel like you are starting a step behind traditional pre-med students, but with the post-bacc program I was able to have course/professor recommendations, access to volunteer and shadowing experiences, MCAT resources, and hands-on simulation labs. The program provides enough structure for you to successfully navigate your way to medical school.

Share some advice for a prospective applicant or an incoming student.
Some advice I would give incoming students is to try. Switching careers can be frightening, but if you have a passion for medicine then it is never too late. I loved and was comfortable in my career but I was lacking fulfillment. I am very thankful that this program exist and it has provided so many opportunities to successfully pursue my goals.

Chris Wilson

2021 Cohort *Currently a first year medical student at the University of Louisville

Share your academic and career background:
I graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2012 with a BS in Accounting. While in college, I thought seriously about changing gears and pursuing medicine, but at the time I had a strong desire to go into the military after graduating, so I stuck it out in Accounting thinking that it would be a good degree to fall back on. I spent over five years in the Army as an Infantry Officer, deployed once to Iraq, and developed an even stronger desire to pursue medicine due to some of my experiences in the Army. When I started transitioning from the military, I felt confused and a little lost when it came to what direction to take. I also had serious doubts about trying to go back to school to become a physician later in life, especially since I was newly married and trying to get established. I felt like that ship had sailed, and that I should try to focus on finding a career in business or finance. After weaving my way through countless job applications, networking events, and even studying for and taking the GMAT in case I wanted to pursue an MBA, I landed a fantastic job at Goldman Sachs as a trader. My wife, Haley, and I made the move to New York City and I worked there for two years. It was a wonderful experience that developed me professionally and provided challenging work, but it didn’t fulfill me. I knew that I couldn’t avoid it any longer and I had to take the leap to pursue my dream. 

What led you to pursue medical school now:
My dream of becoming a physician and having a meaningful, direct impact in people’s lives couldn’t be ignored any longer. After talking to one of my Army buddies who was about halfway through medical school (shoutout to Paulson), I got the sense that it was going to be difficult, but possible. At the time, I didn’t even know what prerequisites I still needed for medical school, much less what was even tested on the MCAT. I started researching which classes I still needed, how I should go about getting them, where to go, etc. That’s when I stumbled upon post-bacc pre-med programs, which I had never heard of before. I thought that doing one of these programs would be the quickest and most efficient way for me to get to medical school and ultimately achieve my dream. Since we were living in NYC at the time, I applied to Columbia’s program, and I also applied to Louisville’s program since it was closer to our families. I got into both, but I was quickly floored by the support and hospitality I immediately felt from Tonia, Shonna, and even some of the physicians that interviewed me. It quickly became a no-brainer, so we made the move to Louisville, and my wife Haley supported me 100% of the way. 

Share some of the challenges you have encountered and/or adjustments you’ve made as a non-traditional student:
My wife and I just had our first child, a beautiful baby girl named Emberly, so life has changed for the better during my time in the program! We also have a Belgian Malinois, which is a very high drive dog that requires a ton of activity, and a cat that is borderline feral. All that to say, we have our hands full, so time management is one of the biggest keys to success. We knew that my wife was pregnant in December, after my first semester in the program, so I knew that I needed to knock the MCAT out ASAP before she was born. Instead of using the summer between the first and second year to study and take the MCAT, I started vigorously studying during the Spring semester of my first year so that I could take it at the beginning of June and hopefully knock it out. It was very tough, but I’m glad I did it, and I thank God everyday that He was able to sustain me during that time. Additionally, there are many others in the program that have several kids and work part time or even full time, so no matter your situation, I know you can do it! Focus and time management are key, and something that I continually try to improve. 

How do you stay motivated on your pre-med journey? Share a motivational quote, motto, or song:
I try to think about the end goal while still enjoying the journey. It is really easy to go through life always trying to reach the next milestone without actually enjoying the journey that got you there, and I think that’s one of the things I’m trying to focus on. I’ve enjoyed every day of my life as a post-bacc pre-med student so far, even the stressful ones, and I thank God that I am blessed with the opportunity to pursue this dream.

My favorite quote is actually good advice for anyone taking pre-med classes, the MCAT, or learning any new skill. Richard P. Feynman once said “The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool.” When you think you know something, drill it over and over until it becomes second nature. And when you think you know something forwards and backwards, you’re probably only halfway there. Take this approach to learning your amino acids and your MCAT score will instantly increase by three points.

How have you benefited from the program so far?
Before I was even accepted into the program, Tonia was connecting me with graduates that had similar backgrounds as mine, which was extremely helpful. These ambassadors of the program, current medical school students themselves, were able to offer invaluable insight and guidance. As a matter of fact, I still reach out to some of them for advice. Since then, the program just kept getting better and better. From going through your transcripts to analyze the exact classes you need for medical school, outlining a plan to accomplish your goal, setting up volunteer and shadowing opportunities, and putting together awesome enrichment and team building sessions, Tonia and Shonna are literally the best. The program has made the transition so much easier than I could’ve ever imagined.

Share some advice for a prospective applicant or incoming student:
For prospective applicants, reach out today, don’t wait. Sign up for an information session or feel free to email any questions you have. Everyone you speak with will be super friendly and helpful. I still remember where I was when I sent my first email to Tonia, and it’s crazy to think that I’ve almost completed the program and am ready to move on to medical school!

For incoming students, lean on your cohort and the cohort ahead of you for help. We’re all in this together and we all want to see each other succeed. Stay focused and keep grinding, it will pay off!

Patrick Timmins

2021 Cohort  *Currently a first year medical student at The Ohio State University

Share your academic and career background
I graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN with a BA in Economics and Public Policy. I gained valuable professional experience by working at Morgan Stanley in NYC for three years after college. I joined the Regulatory Relations team which manages the Firm's global relationship with our prudential regulators: the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The fast paced environment running regulatory exams and responding to inquiries gave me the opportunity to become comfortable balancing competing priorities and working under pressure. These are skills that I continue to use. I am thankful for the gap between college and PostBac, which gave me time to mature and ensure that medicine was the right choice for me.

What led you to pursue medical school now?
I had started to consider being a physician while I was walking on El Camino de Santiago. This reflective experience gave me the chance to reevaluate what was important to me and what I wanted my legacy to be. I realized I wanted to dedicate my career to helping others. I started volunteering outside of work and found those experiences more fulfilling than my day job. That's when I knew I needed to make a change. During the Pandemic, I saw the strain on healthcare providers and was frustrated that my lack of qualifications prevented me from helping in a more meaningful way. This solidified my desire to pursue my calling to medicine.

Share some challenges you have encountered and/or adjustments you’ve made as a non-traditional student?
It was certainly a challenge to readjust to the academic rhythm initially. Work has clear cut boundaries but it can be hard to find the right work life balance when you can always do additional work to ensure you understand the material better or study more for an upcoming test. Once I got into the swing of things, being a non-traditional student felt like a huge advantage at UofL. I had learned from the mistakes I made during undergrad and was committed to completing the journey to become a physician. A common experience among my cohort was that professors were excited to learn they had PostBac students in their classes as they appreciated our dedication and excitement for the material.

How do you stay motivated on your pre-med journey?  Share a motivational quote, motto or song that keeps you going!
I stayed motivated by volunteering/shadowing at the UofL ER every chance I got. Being around providers delivering care to patients kept me grounded and focused on the end goal of this journey. The variety and constant stream of cases kept the 8-hour shifts interesting and the EM residents are always happy to teach you new things about every case. They have a very straightforward application/scheduling system that you can find here. 

How have you benefited from the program so far?
After one conversation with Tonia on the phone I was infected by her optimism and enthusiasm and knew I had to continue my journey to become a physician by moving to Louisville from New York. I am so glad I did; I have benefitted from the program immeasurably. The community support that Tonia, Shonna, and members of your cohort provide makes this difficult process significantly more pleasant and achievable. From course recommendations, to study groups, to mentors, to volunteering opportunities, and team building events this program has everything you need to make the successful transition to medical school at your own pace.

Share some advice for a prospective applicant or an incoming student.
The thing that helped me to succeed in classes was to completely move away from memorizing material and to approach new information by simplifying and contextualizing concepts into basic principles that I applied to new problems. While it took more mental effort on the front end, it was well worth it when the test and MCAT rolled around. 

My two biggest pieces of advice when it comes to the MCAT are: (1) I would strongly recommend taking Biochemistry before taking the MCAT; and (2) it is never too early to start preparing. Get in the habit of watching and taking notes on 1 Khan Academy MCAT Foundations video every morning and making and studying Anki cards every day. Consistency is key because habits make actions automatic. It does not have to be a lot; dedicate 15-20 mins EVERY day. If you start as soon as you are accepted to the program you will thank me later when it comes time for the MCAT.

Finally, It is possible to complete the program in 1 year and take the MCAT in the summer. I came to the program without significant research or clinical experience and wanted to gain some full-time exposure before matriculating to medical school. The only way this was possible for me was to take Gen Chem 1 & 2 with labs over the summer before I started the program in the fall. This allowed me to take the full Physics, Bio, and Orgo sequences over the following year with the MCAT this summer. I am thankful that I now have the next 10 months to work in a research lab and clinical setting knowing that these experiences will aid me in medical school and beyond.