Previous Spotlights
Gabby Christensen, Medical School
Year:
3rd year
School/Program:
Doctor of Medicine
Why did you choose the U and your program?
A personal interest in science and research, combined with various health challenges that my family has faced over the years, drew me to initially pursue medical school. I was intrigued by the empathetic and compassionate problem-solving that goes into becoming a physician. Born and raised in Minnesota, I appreciate the U’s dedication to training so many of Minnesota’s local physicians within medical school, residency, and fellowship. The U was the perfect fit for me to be able to have family support nearby and continue to make connections in the location where I hope to practice medicine one day!
What is something you wished you knew before you started your program?
Something I wish I knew before I started my program was how supportive and collaborative my classmates would be. I’ve met people who I foresee being my lifelong friends, and we’ve been able to support each other throughout the challenges of medical school, while also having fun along the way!
What resource or service has been essential to your academic success?
The resource that has been essential to my academic success is the medical school’s peer mentorship program. As I adjusted to beginning medical school, it was wonderful to have a second-year peer mentor to guide me through study strategies and general tips for success. Going into second year, it was exciting to be able to pay that forward to my first-year peer mentees, offering them guidance to set them up for academic success as well.
How has CHIP and its programming been a part of your educational experience?
CHIP and its programming have been instrumental in my educational experience. Through CHIP’s support, my classmate Leyla Taghizadeh and I were able to restart the interdisciplinary student group Health Students for a Healthy Climate. Our experience with the student group has provided opportunities for leadership, event planning, and networking with fellow students and health professionals who share a similar passion for sustainability in healthcare. We’ve made connections with other health students through national and global organizations, while learning skills such as giving conference presentations and completing research projects. This work has provided the perfect outlet for me to incorporate my personal interest in sustainability into my future career, to continue to advocate for the key role of planetary health within healthcare.
What are your career goals after finishing your degree?
After finishing my degree, my plan is to continue my clinical training in residency, most likely within pediatrics. I’m considering pursuing a fellowship after residency, in fields such as neonatology, pediatric emergency medicine, or pediatric rheumatology, allergy & immunology. As I continue my clinical rotations over the next year and a half, I look forward to continuing career discernment and learning along the way!
What is your favorite place on campus and why?
My favorite place to study on campus is Walter Library! I love the building’s architecture, and it has been a perfect quiet place to study for various exams. CHIP Lounge is my favorite place to socialize with friends for a break during a busy day of studying!
Patrick Torralba, Master of Public Health
Year:
2nd year
School/Program:
Master of Public Health Data Science
Why did you choose the U and your program?
I chose UMNTC because I wanted to involve myself in opportunities that’d enrich my academic and professional experiences including internships, research experiences, data competitions, and more! I chose my program because I wanted to develop a powerful data science skillset that’d allow me to analyze information in fields that focus on the common-good such as medicine, agriculture, epidemiology, etc.
What is something you wished you knew before you started your program?
It’s never too early to apply for research experiences and opportunities! For instance, I missed out on a funding opportunity for my learning experience project because I put it off till the last minute, and couldn’t get all the application materials submitted on time. It’s best to fill out these forms and applications sooner than later especially when the semester becomes more busy.
What resource or service has been essential to your academic success?
Honestly, just reaching out to my professors and communicating topics such as deadline extensions, content clarification, and career exploration have been extremely essential to my academic success. All my professors have been highly understanding and are more than happy to meet with me to discuss the aforementioned topics.
How has CHIP and its programming been a part of your educational experience?
CHIP programming has greatly supplemented my educational experience because I’ve been able to meet other health professionals outside of my program through leadership opportunities. For example, I involved myself in CHIP’s annual leadership conference last fall semester representing BIPOC HPSC, and I gained experience in facilitating and moderating sensitive dialogue.
What are your career goals after finishing your degree?
After completing my degree, I intend to work in either the non-profit and/or government sector as either a public health data analyst, epidemiologist, evaluator, or program analyst. I want to use my data science skills to help solve real-world issues including climate change, population health, and problems affecting my local Twin Cities community.
What is your favorite place on campus and why?
I love the quiet section of the CHIP lounge because I can study hard in solitude.
Lucas Lin, School of Dentistry
Year:
3rd year
School/Program:
Dentistry (DDS)
Why did you choose the U and your program?
Having been born and raised in Minnesota, I knew I wanted to stay close to the community that I have called home throughout my life. As I spoke with local dentists, I found that many of them had graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and spoke highly of their experiences there. I also learned about the school's outreach sites across the state, which offers me the opportunity to give back to the community. Combined with the school's strong reputation, these experiences made the University of Minnesota feel like the perfect fit for me.
What is something you wished you knew before you started your program?
Looking back, there really isn't anything I wish I had known once I started the program. However, if I were to start my journey from undergrad to dental school again, I wish I had known how valuable getting experience in the dental field was before being accepted to the University of Minnesota on my second application cycle. Following my first round of rejections, I spent the next two years before reapplying working as a lab technician at a dental lab and as a dental assistant at a community clinic. These experiences gave me a stronger foundation in dentistry, helped me academically, and made the transition to the pace of dental school much smoother. Because of that, I always encourage prospective students to spend time working in a dental office as an assistant before applying.
What resource or service has been essential to your academic success?
One of the most valuable resources throughout dental school has been the support of the dental school community, from both faculty and my classmates. Throughout our lab courses, the faculty have consistently offered helpful advice on techniques to improve our clinical work, and they often share fun anecdotes that help break up the day. My classmates have also been an invaluable academic resource through shared study guides and flashcards, which allow me to spend less time creating study materials from scratch and more time focusing on understanding how concepts fit together. This collaboration with faculty and other students has made the program feel very supportive and has been an important part of my academic success.
How has CHIP and its programming been a part of your educational experience?
CHIP has been a part of my experience since I started dental school through my involvement in the Health Sciences Arts Advisory Board (HSAAB). During my first semester, I was surprised to see an email announcing a student, staff, and faculty art exhibit in HSEC. I had never displayed any of my bird photography before, but I decided to submit one of my favorite images. To my surprise, it was selected, giving me the opportunity to share my work publicly for the first time. After that exhibition ended, I soon found out about HSAAB who had helped with organizing the exhibition, and I decided to join the board to help organize more art events as well as future galleries. My involvement with HSAAB has not only allowed me to encourage other students to express and showcase their artistic abilities, but it has also helped me grow as a leader and as an artist.
What are your career goals after finishing your degree?
As of now, I have two potential pathways I am considering after receiving my DDS degree. I may decide to stay with general dentistry, in which case I plan on working at a community clinic—like the one I previously worked at before dental school—for a number of years before possibly moving onto a private practice later on. Another path I am considering is to pursue a specialty in prosthodontics because I have really enjoyed the detailed aesthetic work and the comprehensive treatment planning involved in prosthodontics.
What is your favorite place on campus and why?
My favorite place on campus is the dental school’s preclinic lab. It might not be the most popular choice among my classmates, but I have always enjoyed being in the preclinic lab since our first class there when we started our first year. From waxing up teeth to now learning how to place implants and do root canals, I have felt at home while doing work in the lab. Some days can be tiring, but on others, I could spend a whole day at the lab and still want to stay longer, especially when I am able to spend that time with friends.
Eva Jindal, Medical School
Year:
First Year Medical Student
School/Program:
Doctor of Medicine
Why did you choose the U and your program?
I didn’t know I wanted to be a physician until I got more exposure to medicine through my work around the cities and realized how much I loved building relationships with patients. I chose the University of Minnesota and its medical program because it gave me the opportunity to stay close to home and my family while starting such an intense and exciting chapter of my life. I also really valued being able to maintain the connections, mentors, and networks I had built during my undergraduate journey here, while continuing to learn in a program with strong clinical opportunities and a collaborative environment.
What is something you wished you knew before you started your program?
I wish I had known more about the impact that just the first year of medical school would have on me. I think I would have been less nervous and more excited about starting this journey if I had realized how many incredible people I would meet and how many challenging, yet rewarding, experiences I would have even within the first year alone.
What resource or service has been essential to your academic success?
One resource that has been especially essential to my academic success has definitely been the CHIP lounge. I really love the study space and the fact that we get to share it with students from other interprofessional programs. Through that environment, I’ve made many new friends outside of medicine, which has helped broaden my perspective on healthcare and given me a greater appreciation for the different roles within a healthcare team.
How has CHIP and its programming been a part of your educational experience?
Serving as the CHIP representative for my MD cohort, and now transitioning to one of the co-chair roles, CHIP has already had a lasting impact on my educational experience. Being able to network with students from other health professional programs and participate in leadership conferences has helped me continue developing my skills as both a student and future professional. On top of that, getting to meet new people and make great friends along the way has definitely been an added bonus. I genuinely feel that some of my closest relationships have come from people I met in CHIP—connections I likely would not have made otherwise.
What are your career goals after finishing your degree?
After finishing my degree, I hope to Match into a surgical residency and continue my training. Right now, I’m especially interested in cardiac surgery, so my long-term goal would be to eventually pursue a fellowship in that field. I’ve also become increasingly interested in clinical research, and I would love to continue pursuing that alongside patient care as a way to contribute to and help advance the medical field.
What is your favorite place on campus and why?
My favorite place on campus has to be CHIP! It’s become so meaningful to me because of all the memories I’ve built there. I’ve spent many late nights studying in CHIP, sharing laughs, tears, and everything in between. Whenever I’m on campus, it truly feels like home base.
I also really enjoy taking walks around campus during study breaks, especially along the East River Road trail by the river. It’s been a great way to reset and recharge before getting back to studying.
Justin Vo, Nursing
Year:
4th Year
School/Program:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, School of Nursing
Why did you choose the U and your program?
I chose the U and the School of Nursing for several reasons. Upon touring the school, I found it special in how there is a unique balance of attending a Big Ten university experience while still maintaining the feel of a small, close-knit nursing community. Being from Minnesota, it was also important to me to stay in-state and remain connected to home. Altogether, it felt like the perfect “home away from home.”
What is something you wished you knew before you started your program?
While nursing school can be difficult at times, it is manageable. I would also go back and tell my senior year of high school self about the incredible groups of people and connections I would meet throughout nursing school. I didn’t realize how important those relationships would become in support throughout nursing school. I would also tell past me how important time management and self-care would be. Balancing coursework, clinicals, and personal life can be busy, but developing strong habits early on makes a big difference. Overall, I would remind myself to stay confident and trust the process!
What resource or service has been essential to your academic success?
There are so many resources that have been an essential contribution to my academic success. A few noteworthy ones include the IP Student Lounge, the School of Nursing’s OSCAS staff, and being connected with CHIP. Each of these has provided me with a strong support system and a welcoming environment where I can focus and stay motivated.
How has CHIP and its programming been a part of your educational experience?
CHIP has been a monumental part of my undergrad educational experience. In working at CHIP during all four years of undergrad, I have developed strong leadership and communication skills while building meaningful connections with both peers and the community. Through its programming, I’ve had opportunities to engage in skills and activities that have deepened my understanding of health equity and the importance of interprofessional collaboration. CHIP has not only supported my growth as a student, but has also helped shape the kind of nurse professional and community member I aspire to be.
What are your career goals after finishing your degree?
Upon graduating this May, I will go on to take my NCLEX exam and will be joining a fantastic team of nurses and other healthcare professionals as a Registered Nurse in Pediatric BMT/Hematology/Oncology.
What is your favorite place on campus and why?
Walter Library. When I need to lock in and get work done, I can always count on Walter Library. The architecture and interior design in the building are always breathtaking, and whenever I need a brain break in between studying, just looking up at the ceiling is calming and inspirational.
Ben Osei-Tutu, Physical Therapy
Year:
First-Year Doctoral Student
School/Program:
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and pursuing a joint PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences
Why did you choose the U and your program?
I chose the University of Minnesota because it gives me the chance to do everything I’m passionate about in one place. Clinical practice, research, and eventually teaching. I knew I would love being a clinician. But I wanted to help push the research field forward and be involved in education too. The U felt like a place where I could really grow into all of those roles.
What is something you wished you knew before you started your program?
One thing I wish I knew before starting is just how much my life would change compared to undergrad. Graduate school takes everything to another level, both academically and personally. At the same time, you’re surrounded by people who are just as driven and passionate, which creates a really supportive and motivating environment.
What resource or service has been essential to your academic success?
One of the most important resources for me has been the CHIP Lounge. It’s a space where students from different programs can come together to study, talk, and connect outside of the classroom. Having that sense of community has made a big difference in my experience and success so far.
How has CHIP and its programming been a part of your educational experience?
CHIP has been a big part of my experience, especially since I serve as a CHIP representative for my cohort. It has given me the opportunity to network and connect with students outside of my program, participate in leadership conferences, and help organize events that support student well-being. Being involved in CHIP has helped me grow as both a leader and a collaborator.
What are your career goals after finishing your degree?
After finishing my degree, I hope to practice clinically while also teaching and continuing to be involved in research. I’m especially interested in combining these areas so I can contribute to both patient care and the advancement of the field through education and research.
What is your favorite place on campus and why?
The 15th floor of Moos Tower, right outside the Dean’s office. It’s kind of a hidden gem I like to show people. You get an amazing view of the entire campus and the Minneapolis skyline. It’s one of those spots where you can just take a second, reset, and breathe.
LaRae Kram, Pharmacy
Year:
First Year (Class of 2029)
School/Program:
College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota Duluth
Why did you choose the U and your program?
Ever since I was a little kid I've wanted to be a pharmacist. I have a handful of pharmacists in my family, and I was always super interested in what they did. I did my undergrad in chemistry at the College of Saint Benedict + Saint John's University and had the opportunity to take medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical classes, which I loved. I chose the UMN program in Duluth because I really enjoyed my interview day. The community is very close-knit and welcoming, and I felt at home right away. I also love the Duluth area and all the outdoor activities here!
What is something you wished you knew before you started your program?
I wish I knew that even though the program is hard, it should not be intimidating! Everyone here wants you to succeed and support you any way they can. I have received support from so many different fronts, and there are so many different resources to take advantage of that will help you succeed! the upper classmen make efforts to help the first years get comfortable and are always happy to talk or answer questions. This program is very different than my undergrad, but with all of the resources and people part of the community, the transition into this program was not as drastic as I thought it would be.
What resource or service has been essential to your academic success?
All of the organizations within the pharmacy school have really helped me to find my place in this community and feel confident in my academics. They have allowed me to meet so many people within the pharmacy school and grow a strong support system. Getting involved was one of the best things I could've done to help motivate my learning and learn about real-world applications of what we are learning in class. Specifically, IPhO (Industry Pharmacy Organization) is an organization has allowed me to meet with experts in the field and connect with peers sharing similar interests and career aspirations as I do. I also participated in a case study competition where I got the opportunity to apply my pharmacy knowledge in an industry setting.
How has CHIP and its programming been a part of your educational experience?
I wanted to be a CHIP representative to help get myself out of my comfort zone and connect with other students outside of pharmacy. Overall, CHIP has helped me to grow my leadership skills, learn more about other programs, and most importantly connect with other students across campuses and professions! I have really enjoyed being able to organize events for my peers to attend and take time away from the classroom to have fun and talk with each other. I've been able to help bring a stronger CHIP presence to Duluth and am excited to see what I can do throughout my time here to help foster interprofessional connection within Duluth and cross-campuses.
What are your career goals after finishing your degree?
As of now, I plan on pursuing either a residency or fellowship after graduation. Right now, I'm open to a lot of different pathways, in pharmacy. I have an interest in industry pharmacy, specifically in medicinal chemistry and drug design and development. Luckily, I am a first year, so I have time and the resources to allow me to find what I want to do after I graduate. I'm looking forward to my rotations during my fourth year to gain more experience in different areas of pharmacy to help me find out what I like.
What is your favorite place on campus and why?
My favorite place on the UMD campus is the greenhouse right next to the pharmacy school. I love going there in between my classes to look at all the plants and warm up, especially in the winter! The plants are very well cared for and there is rarely anyone else in the greenhouse, which makes is a great place to take a walk between classes.
Lauren Hall, Veterinary Medicine
Year:
First Year (Class of 2029)
School/Program:
College of Veterinary Medicine, DVM program
Why did you choose the U and your program?
I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian since I was 10 years old, from hours of helping my mom with our many animals on our hobby farm. That was always a no-brainer for me, and the UofM was my top choice for veterinary school, given I am a born-and-raised Minnesotan. I had the chance to visit the Leatherdale Equine Center a bunch over the years, and was always so impressed by their faculty, staff, and facilities. After graduating high school, I ended up leaving the state for undergrad at the University of Kentucky, which I loved; however, even with several options for veterinary school, I was eager to return home and attend the U's vet school. It also helped to know how highly the vet school was regarded throughout the country. I knew the program, community, and resources would fit me and my goals, so it truly was an easy choice to make and I couldn't be happier to be a Gopher!
What is something you wished you knew before you started your program?
I wish I could go back and tell myself that the community that you will build in vet school is so much richer and supportive than you could imagine. I think professional schools in general create such a strong community that differs so much from undergrad, which was quite suprising to me. I love being able to share a collective experience with all of my classmates and future collegues, even if we all have different career goals and interests. There is so much comfort in knowing that you are not alone while in a difficult program, and I have gained so much from that.
What resource or service has been essential to your academic success?
I have really benefitted from all the various social/networking events the CVM puts on for their students to build relationships. With how large the vet program is, these events have allowed me to meet more of my classmates and students from other years, as well as events through CHIP that have introduced me to people from other health programs. Creating a network of peers, mentors, and friends has been invaluable, and organizations such as CHIP and SAVMA has made that possible.
How has CHIP and its programming been a part of your educational experience?
Coming into vet school, I wasn't necessary planning to be part of an interprofessional group, but with my growing interest in One Health, I decided to run for the CVM CHIP representative for my class, and I am so glad I did! Through CHIP, I was introduced to Zoobiquity, an expired interprofessional club that needed someone to bring it back to life after some years of inactivity. I decided to take it on, with hopes that I could help foster interprofessional connections between students, and create a discord about the link between human and animal medicine. While we are still in the early stages of Zoobiquity 2.0, I am very proud to have gotten it running again, and it has been a great experience for me overall.
What are your career goals after finishing your degree?
I plan to go into equine (horse) medicine following graduation, potentially with a focus on rehabilitation and sports medicine. Ideally, I hope to collaborate with human sports medicine experts to create better therapies for humans and animals alike, and work to prevent injuries in equine athletes. There is such great benefit to interprofessional collaboration, and I would love to continue that in my career.
What is your favorite place on campus and why?
I absolutely love the small green space outside of the ASVM on the St. Paul Campus. It is a great spot to sit outside, eat lunch, and pet all of my classmates' dogs on a nice day. Every once in a while, the Raptor Center staff will let their resident hawks out to stretch their wings, which is always cool to watch.
Gina Bellin, CHIP Student Staff
Year:
Year 1
College of Biological Science (CBS), Biochemistry
As for my program, I am pre-med, and biochemistry is a great major for preparing for the MCAT. It has most (if not all) prerequisites for med school built right into the major requirements, which makes it simpler to check those boxes. CBS also makes it simple to get involved in activities outside of academics needed to prepare for med school.
I wish that I had looked further into other scientific majors before ultimately jumping into Biochemistry. Currently, I’m actually transferring to CFANS to begin majoring in nutrition. For med school, you can major in anything you want, which people don’t take advantage of a lot. Once at the university, I decided that majoring in something I’m passionate about is actually a top priority for me.
What resource or service has been essential to your academic success?
Boynton has been an incredible resource to me while navigating this transition to the University. It can be so scary to take that first step and reach out for help, but doing so can make a huge difference for your mental health. It’s truly easy to get connected and find support, and I wish I had explored this option sooner.
My current plan is to take a few gap years and work as a dietician. If I so choose after gaining this valuable clinical experience, I plan to attend medical school.
My favorite place on campus is the Graduate. I love the ambiance for studying and love having the Starbucks and Chick-fil-a built right into the hotel. It’s nice for grabbing a treat to get motivated for studying or grabbing a snack after as a reward.
Ivana Ndege, MHA, Public Health
Year:
Year 1
School/Program:
Master of Healthcare Administration, School of Public Health
Why did you choose the U and your program?
I also attended UMN for my undergraduate degree, and during that time, I had the opportunity to work for CHIP. Through my involvement with CHIP, I was introduced to the MHA program. I got to connect with candidates whose health professional goals strongly aligned with mine. They spoke highly of their experiences in the program, and it felt like the perfect fit for me.
What is something you wished you knew before you started your program?
Time moves fast, and balancing everything gets busy. Setting aside time for the things I enjoy outside of school and work has helped me stay grounded, so I now block that time on my calendar to make sure it happens.
What resource or service has been essential to your academic success?
I really appreciate the faculty in my program. If I am curious about something, they point me in the right direction and/or to the right people. They also give great advice. Their support is intentional and truly reflects how much they want to see us succeed.
How has CHIP and its programming been a part of your educational experience?
CHIP has played a significant role in my educational experience. The dedicated spaces it creates for students across programs to connect and learn from one another have been important to my academic and professional growth. A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of co-facilitating a session at the CHIP Health Professional Student Leadership Conference. I also serve as one of the operations co-chairs for CLARION. Being involved with CHIP allows me to connect with students I might not otherwise meet. As a future healthcare leader, I value hearing different perspectives. Especially in problem-solving, where it is essential to consider those who will be directly and indirectly impacted by change. Participating in experiences like these is critical for strengthening relationships across care teams and advancing our shared goal of improving the health of our communities.
What are your career goals after finishing your degree?
I look forward to evolving as a healthcare leader and helping advance healthcare organizations in ways that center equity and expand access for all communities served.
What is your favorite place on campus and why?
I love getting work done in different spaces around the Health Sciences Education Center. The amount of natural light that comes through the big windows is refreshing. I also like the coffee shop on the 3rd floor and highly recommend trying the Michelangelo.