Many students dream of becoming a doctor. But Sarah Belcher is taking it a step further, by pursuing both an MD and a PhD through the University of Louisville School of Medicine’s physician-scientist training program.  

Just months after completing her undergraduate degree at UofL, Belcher joined the latest cohort of MD/PhD students, a path that will prepare her to combine clinical care with high-impact research. She will graduate with both degrees and a career uniquely positioned to make a difference in patient care and population health.  

Belcher was a Grawemeyer Scholar in her undergraduate years, a distinction that offered her hands-on research that revealed to her the power of contributing to something greater than yourself. This experience revealed how scientific inquiry could reach beyond the walls of a clinic and shape health outcomes on a broader scale.  

In addition to being a Grawemeyer Scholar, Belcher was also a GEMS student, meaning she was selected for Guaranteed Entrance to Medical School while she was still in high school. Through GEMS, Belcher became part of the School of Medicine community long before her first day of class. She credits the program for making the School of Medicine feel like home and for connecting her with mentors who encouraged her to pursue the MD/PhD track. 

That encouragement continued last summer during theMD/PhD Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)and further solidified Belcher’s decision. Thanks to her experience with the GEMS and SURF programs, Belcher feels confident as she enters this new rigorous journey. The GEMS program introduced her to the medical school early on, meaning she already feels comfortable in the environment and understands what resources are available to her as a student. The SURF program helped her to prepare for the MD/PhD program and showed her what to expect from such a meticulous program.  

“Being part of the University of Louisville has been one of my greatest blessings,” Sarah Belcher reflected. “The support I received through the School of Medicine as a GEMS student made me feel at home in a new city. Having that same support available through both the medical school and the MD/PhD program is invaluable and made me want to continue my educational journey here.” 

Originally from Eastern Kentucky, Belcher plans to focus on the intersection of poverty and cardiovascular health. She hopes to make a real difference when it comes to population health for her area and others that are underserved. She feels confident that her position as a physician-scientist will allow her to break down barriers that exist in health care.  

The University of Louisville School of Medicine MD/PhD program includes two years of pre-clinical medical training, followed by graduate training in research and two years of medical rotations for clinical training.  

The School of Medicine offers a variety of dual degree programs to meet diverse career goals, including MD/MBA and MD/MA options. From high school outreach to advanced research training, we are committed to supporting future leaders in medicine and science at every stage. 

As Belchercontinues her work with ULSOM faculty and forms new relationships with her class of physicians and scientists, we are proud to share her story. The University of Louisville School of Medicine isn’t just for medical students. With programs for high schoolers, undergraduate students, medical students, residents, fellows and more, we are proud to be leaders in medical education for all.