There’s no shortage of hallmark moments in a medical student’s path to becoming a doctor: receiving a white coat, treating their first patient, forming friendships with fellow classmates and many more. Match Day is one of the most exciting of those moments: it marks the beginning of the next stage of a medical career and determines where graduating medical students will spend the next several years. Read on as four students reflect on their time at Feinberg and share where they’re headed next.
Alex Ireland, MD Student
Where are you originally from?
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Where did you complete your undergraduate degree?
I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in biological sciences and a minor in Italian language and literature.
Why did you choose Feinberg?
Feinberg’s national reputation for academic excellence is what originally drew me to the program. In delving deeper, I liked the focus on independent and self-motivated learning, as well as peer education and mentorship. It was an expectation that as a senior student you would take part in the education of younger medical students. I’ve always found that I learned best by teaching others, so this model really appealed to me.
Can you share your favorite Feinberg memory?
My favorite memory of Feinberg was at the beginning of our M4 year, when we ran an orientation/mentorship session for incoming M3 students. They were, of course, very nervous to be entering their first clinical year and it was our job to ease them through this transition. While we initially felt unprepared for the responsibility, by the end of the afternoon, we as a class were shocked at how much practical knowledge we had learned in the past year and were delighted to pass on this wisdom to the next class.
What parts of the curriculum did you enjoy the most?
My favorite parts of the curriculum have always been simulation sessions. The act of practicing a clinical encounter on high-fidelity mannequins before being thrust into the real-life situation is such an invaluable experience. I take every opportunity I get to perform simulation, from practicing central-line insertions to running cardiac resuscitations. I know that when I need these skills in the real clinical environment, I will be better prepared for having practiced.
Where did you match?
McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University/Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Emergency Medicine.
Lily Saadat, MD Student
Where are you originally from?
I am originally from Danville, Calif., a suburb outside of San Francisco.
Where did you complete your undergraduate degree?
I attended Stanford University and majored in biology.
Why did you choose Feinberg?
I chose Feinberg because of the people. On my interview day, I was struck by how passionate, friendly and accomplished the student body was. I was further impressed by the diverse research and clinical programs at Feinberg and the opportunities to collaborate on innovative projects with students from other graduate programs at Northwestern.
Can you share your favorite Feinberg memory?
Many of my fondest Feinberg memories are my interactions with my peers during school-sponsored events with Schaefer College, Feinberg Formal and In Vivo. I truly believe that Feinberg fosters a strong community of friends and colleagues and I am confident that I will maintain many of these relationships for life. My first day of my third year also stands out, as I clearly remember the exciting transition from being a medical student in the classroom to a student on the wards.
What parts of the curriculum did you enjoy the most?
Feinberg’s new curriculum is innovative and has a strong emphasis on professional development. In particular, I greatly enjoyed the Synthesis and Application Modules (SAM). The incorporation of simulation training sessions into our curriculum truly strengthened my skill sets and also provided a fun, dynamic way to learn. As a member of the first class of the new curriculum, I also enjoyed the opportunity to engage in conversations about curricular development and reform.
Where did you match?
Brigham and Women’s Hospital in General Surgery.
What will you miss most about Feinberg?
My mentors. I had the opportunity to work with many inspiring, accomplished physicians during my time at Feinberg, who helped me define my passion for surgery and develop skills that will be invaluable during residency. I owe much of my success to their support and mentorship.
Douglas Gilchrist-Scott, MD/MPH Student
Where are you originally from?
I was born and raised in Canton, Ohio.
Where did you complete your undergraduate degree?
I graduated from Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pa., where I studied mathematics and statistics. After graduation, I worked for three years in Washington D.C. at The Urban Institute’s Justice Policy Center, where I studied cost-effective policing and parole strategies.
Why did you choose Feinberg?
I chose Feinberg for a variety of reasons. I had the privilege of working with a Northwestern Memorial Hospital hematologist during the summer between my junior and senior year of college. During that experience, I was able to interact with many different attendings, residents and medical students. Their commitment to teaching and research was inspiring and I was confident that Feinberg would be a great place to train. Moreover, Chicago is an amazing place to live. Arts, dining, culture, outdoor sports and activities – it has a tremendous diversity of opportunities that is unparalleled. I love living a block away from the lake and an easy walk from several different distinct communities with their own unique cultural heritage and history.
Can you share your favorite Feinberg memory?
I think that my favorite Feinberg memory would actually be my wedding. I am so thankful for the opportunity to meet and work with so many amazing people. The friendships that I have made during medical school will be ongoing for the rest of my life and I was so happy to have their support on such a special day in my life.
What parts of the curriculum did you enjoy the most?
The third year of medical school is simultaneously humbling, exhausting, inspiring and extraordinarily rewarding. I loved my time in my rotations and all of the amazing residents, attendings and fellow medical students that I was able to learn from.
Where did you match?
McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University /Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Brian Poole, MD Student
Where are you originally from?
Orem, Utah.
Where did you complete your undergraduate degree?
I attended Brigham Young University and majored in neuroscience.
Why did you choose Feinberg?
I chose Feinberg for several reasons. The supportive, collaborative culture was very important to me, and the new curriculum had several aspects that really appealed to me and made me feel that Feinberg is invested in educating students and is one of the innovators in medical education.
Can you share your favorite Feinberg memory?
I have many great Feinberg memories – global health trips with fellow students, experiences in and outside of medicine with friends and classmates, stepping out of my comfort zone both in the simulation lab and the hospital. Some of my favorite memories though, are of the many patients I’ve had the great privilege to get to know personally and help care for during my time at Feinberg.
What parts of the curriculum did you enjoy the most?
One of my favorite parts has been the Education Centered Medical Home (ECMH). Having longitudinal care experience throughout all 4 years of medical school is something many medical students miss out on. Also, working with upperclassmen in ECMH who were devoted to teaching me from the beginning helped me develop clinical skills and thinking early, and many of those students served as role models for me throughout medical school. Additionally, the extra time in the clinical years with the new curriculum has been invaluable. The additional time to explore career interests, areas of medicine I wouldn’t otherwise experience and outside interests has made my last few years at Feinberg extremely rewarding.
Where did you match?
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Internal Medicine.
Adrienne Long, MD/PhD Student (Medical Scientist Training Program)
Where are you originally from?
Damascus, Md.
Where did you complete you undergraduate degree?
I attended Northwestern and majored in biomedical engineering.
Why did you choose Feinberg?
I was accepted into the Honors Program in Medical Education (HPME) – I knew that attending both undergrad and medical school at Northwestern was an educational opportunity that I just couldn’t pass up!
Can you share your favorite Feinberg memory?
My favorite memory was participating in the very first Society Olympics – it was such a great time to meet other people in the different classes. It started raining, and we definitely were not very good, but no one cared. It was fantastic!
What parts of the curriculum did you enjoy the most?
I have really enjoyed my clinical years. I loved the first two years as well, but being able to apply what you have learned to help people is truly something special.
Where did you match?
Boston Children’s Hospital in Pediatrics.
