Previous Spotlights
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, School of 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.
Mimi Nguyen, MHA, School of Public Health
Year:
Year 2
School/Program:
MHA, School of Public Health
Why did you choose the U and your program?
I chose the University of Minnesota and the MHA Program because of its strong healthcare leadership network, supportive faculty, and emphasis on experiential learning. The program’s blend of classroom learning and real-world projects has helped me grow into a more strategic and people-centered leader.
What is something you wished you knew before you started your program?
I wish I knew how important it is to give yourself time to adjust and explore. There are so many opportunities available, and finding your rhythm early helps you make the most of them.
What resource or service has been essential to your academic success?
The Nutritious U Food Pantry has been a great resource. Having access to free groceries has helped me focus on my studies and manage busy weeks more easily.
How has CHIP and its programming been a part of your educational experience?
CHIP has been a huge part of my experience through CLARION, from serving as Co-Programming Chair to now Co-Director. The CHIP team has supported my growth and leadership development every step of the way. Through this work, I’ve collaborated with students from different disciplines, planned case competitions, and learned how teamwork and diverse perspectives drive innovation in healthcare.
What are your career goals after finishing your degree?
After graduation, I hope to build a career focused on creating sustainable healthcare environments that prioritize equity, efficiency, and patient-centered care.
What is your favorite place on campus and why?
My favorite place on campus is the MHA Suite in the Mayo Building. It’s a space where I can take a moment to breathe and recharge between classes while also collaborating on group projects with my classmates. The environment feels welcoming and reminds me how supportive and connected our program community is.
Kit Williamson, School of Dentistry
Year:
D1 (Graduating 2029)
School/Program:
DDS, UMN School of Dentistry
Why did you choose the U and your program?
Growing up in Rochester, Minnesota, the home of the Mayo Clinic, my life has been defined by the importance of healthcare within the community. With each passing year, I encounter more examples of the ways the healthcare system in our country fails to reach our most vulnerable populations. Dentistry is one of the healthcare fields that faces the most extreme inequities for a wide range of reasons. Rising costs, inaccessibility, distrust in healthcare systems, and a lack of emphasis on oral health are only a handful of the places that we undeniably need to see growth in the dental field.
While these challenges can sometimes feel like an uphill battle, I am constantly inspired by the work of other healthcare professionals as we strive to create a better system that reaches more people each year. The dental field is a fascinating combination of business, health science, and art that has so many opportunities for progress and change. Being able to dive into rigorous hands-on learning for such an important subject is both a struggle and a joy every day.
Choosing the University of Minnesota feels like choosing Minnesota itself. I have loved this state for all of my life. I have had the privilege to live in some other incredible areas of the country, but the empathy and academic rigor that Minnesota prioritizes is something that fills me with pride and excitement for the future. The “Minnesota Nice” stereotype is a simple phrase that succinctly gestures to what I love about this state. I am honored to have the opportunity to learn in a space where humility and compassion are seen as strengths, not weaknesses. I cannot wait to utilize what I am learning here to help serve the underserved populations of Minneapolis — and hopefully, far beyond! (Plus, Gophers have great teeth!)
What is something you wished you knew before you started your program?
I came into the DDS program far less prepared than I wish I had been. I wish that I had realized how many incredible opportunities for connection the University of Minnesota had provided for its students even before we arrived on campus. I was so caught up in moving and preparing for this stage of my life that I neglected to enjoy the process and get excited instead of just scared. There were many chances for me to connect with my upperclassmen and community before the academic year started. I can see how much those opportunities have helped others dive straight into this program!
What resource or service has been essential to your academic success?
So far, I have been amazed by the responsiveness and kindness of the School of Dentistry’s faculty. I have always felt intimidated approaching University staff members with basic questions or my accommodation needs. Every faculty member that I have spoken to has been empathetic and eager to help. I have become more confident in advocating for myself and my classmates in a way I never have before. I went from a person who agonizes over every word in any message to someone who feels comfortable cold-emailing just about anyone in only a few short weeks — the version of me from college would be shocked and amazed!
How has CHIP and its programming been a part of your educational experience?
As someone who is always looking for opportunities for community involvement and fun events, I have been amazed by just how active CHIP is as an organization. I love the built-in space for health science learners and professionals to work together and meet one another. It’s so easy to feel isolated within your specialty that you lose track of other health sciences, but CHIP constantly reminds me that we are a diverse group of professionals that are all integral to the field of healthcare. I love seeing the interdisciplinary collaboration start early. Our focus — whether it be a healthcare specialty, a research subject, a professional degree, or something else entirely — is all part of improving the health and wellness of our society.
What are your career goals after finishing your degree?
It’s easy for me to be idealistic as a D1 student, but I firmly believe there is never a bad time to dream big! I am hoping to go into a dental specialty once I have received my DDS. I am particularly interested in dental anesthesiology and sensory-friendly dentistry. Almost everyone in my life that I have told about my career aspirations has told me a horror story about a dental visit that has resulted in a lifelong fear of the dentist. It’s important that we remember that accessibility in dentistry doesn’t just stop with children who have different needs — those children grow into adults who still have to visit the dentist! Being a part of a private practice focused on providing accessible dental visits would be a dream.
What is your favorite place on campus and why?
The CHIP Lounge! I know that my answer is awfully convenient — I’m not sponsored, I swear! — but it really is a lovely space. The sense of community in the CHIP Lounge is perfect for enjoying your lunch, chatting with your peers, or locking in on a particularly stressful subject. Plus, it’s got a great view! Sights of the city are both pretty and provide some great perspective on the community that we are all working hard to serve.
Aidan Nguyen, Physical Therapy
Year:
Second year
School/Program:
Physical Therapy
Why did you choose the U and your program?
I chose the U because of its strong academic reputation and for its profound impact on the healthcare system in Minnesota. I loved the program when I visited it and knew right away that I wanted to go here. The faculty have been so passionate and helpful with my growth in the program, and our cohort is so fun and tight knit. I am very happy with my decision to attend the U!
What is something you wished you knew before you started your program?
Take in every day as a learning experience and keep your future patients at the forefront when studying. It goes by so quickly, so just enjoy it and always be thinking about how you can apply the class material to the clinic.
What resource or service has been essential to your academic success?
I have attended the open labs offered by my program whenever possible, and they have been an integral part of my learning and development throughout my time in the program. Also, there are many opportunities to volunteer in community clinics, allowing me to apply the skills we learn in class with real patients.
What are your career goals after finishing your degree?
I would love to practice as a neurologic physical therapist and also serve in pro bono community clinics.
What is your favorite place on campus and why?
I love the waterfalls outside of the McNamara Alumni Center, as it is a nice and peaceful place to go on a walk, study, or just hang out.
Ashton Amann, College of Veterinary Medicine, Dual DVM/PhD Program
Year:
Third Year
School/Program:
College of Veterinary Medicine, Dual DVM/PhD Program
Why did you choose the U and your program?
I knew that I wanted to be a veterinarian since I was 15. While looking at schools, UMN quickly became my dream school for its research and resources for teaching and learning radiology. Our vet school was also rated in the Top 10 back in 2019, and has now jumped all the way up to #4. I toured the St. Paul campus once and knew this was where I wanted to end up.
What is something you wished you knew before you started your program?
I wish I had known how involved you are with every major species in veterinary school. Regardless of your interests, you spend your first three years studying dogs, cats, horses, cows, and various other species almost equally. I likely would have tried to have more experiences with large animals to help me understand the application of some of my classes had I known.
What resource or service has been essential to your academic success?
It is easy to become so invested in your education that you spend your entire day at a desk. What isn’t so easy is taking care of yourself both physically and mentally while you go through school. The best resource for me has been the intramural program through the RecWell, because it has allowed me to play sports weekly and make new friends in my program. The vet school currently has teams for volleyball and softball that we look forward to every semester.
What are your career goals after finishing your degree?
When it is all said and done, I plan on using my PhD and DVM degrees to apply for a radiology residency. My ultimate goal is to combine teaching, clinical practice, and research as a veterinary radiologist who bridges the gap between human and animal imaging (while making radiology every student’s favorite course).
What is your favorite place on campus and why?
My absolute favorite place on campus has to be the Bell Museum. Most people don’t even know that we have a Smithsonian-affiliated exhibit hall that students can go to for FREE. Whether you enjoy planetariums, landscape dioramas, or even just a quiet place to study, one visit to this place will speak for itself.
Brianna Ong, Medical School
Year:
Third Year (MS3)
What resource or service has been essential to your academic success?
The Office of Student Affairs has helped to provide resources, guidance, and letters of support for me to be able to attend conferences during medical school and has helped me grow as a student and future physician.