On Friday, May 9, the class of 2025 medical students officially earn their medical doctorate at the ºÚÁÏÍø Hooding Ceremony. Among those slated to speak at the event are the class of 2025 co-presidents, Austin Coale and Joanmarie Lewandowski.Ìý
Coale (University of Florida) and Lewandowski (Memorial Health University) found out where they will complete their residency training at Match Day in March.Ìý
Now, ahead of the hooding ceremony, they share some experiences as their medical school journey comes to a close.Ìý
What specialty did you come into medical school wanting to do, and what did you actually match into?ÌýÌý
Lewandowski: Coming into medical school, I really didn’t know what I wanted to go into. I thought it was going to be something pediatrics related. I learned that I liked caring for women’s health, too, so I found my way into family medicine. That’s what I matched into. It really does feel like a good fit.Ìý
Coale: I came in thinking I wanted to do dermatology. My mom’s a dermatologist, so that was most of my medical experience before medical school. My first rotation as a third year was general surgery, and I loved it. I loved being in the operating room, taking people through pre-op for surgery, through their recovery, and getting them out of the hospital. I knew I wanted to work in the hospital and be in the operating room more.Ìý
What is your favorite memory from medical school?Ìý
Coale: For how much we were in the classroom, it was really cool to see how much of our class did things outside. We had a lot of intramural teams, played a lot of soccer, and a lot of beach volleyball. Those are some of my favorite moments were just going out and playing a sport. It was cool to hang out with people outside of the classroom and get to know them more.Ìý
Lewandowski: My favorite memory is probably a trip I took with a few of my School of Medicine classmates. We went to L.A. on a whim during our first year and made a lot of good memories. We did everything from strolling the beach, to catching a comedy show, to eating one of the most expensive meals I have ever had. I didn’t know it, but I was building the basis for some lifelong friendships.Ìý
If you could give one piece of advice to incoming medical students, what would it be?Ìý
Coale: I feel like my advice would be to make sure you’re taking time to enjoy it. Make sure you take time for yourself. Enjoy the four years that you have with classmates and peers and friends. They’re some of the closest friends that I have and will continue to have. Take the time when you’re not studying to meet new people and do cool new things and still live your life. Even though you’re in a rigorous graduate program, it is really important. It keeps you sane, but it also makes you a better physician because you’re a human outside of just being a medical student.Ìý
Lewandowski: Expect that you’re going to fall and you’re going to trip, but the most important part is you have to get back up. You are going to make mistakes, and you are going to fail a few times, but that doesn’t matter as much as you just getting back up and getting back on the horse.Ìý
Who has been your biggest mentor throughout your medical journey?Ìý
Lewandowski: Dr. Catherine Sotir was my mentor at the Wilmington campus. She’s a great family medicine physician. Even when I wasn’t going into family medicine, she was right there holding my hand, giving me all the advice I could ever want. I really admired how she both practiced in medicine and had a great life outside medicine. I don’t know if I would be here today without her help.Ìý
Coale: I’ve got two. They’re both residents in Wilmington. Adam Wegener, who actually graduated from ºÚÁÏÍø a couple of years ago, and then Alyssa Piscitello were two residents who really inspired me and gave me the confidence that I could be a general surgeon. They’ve really involved me a lot in research and also pushed me to be better and do more in clinical rotations. They were two of my mentorsÌý
How do you unwind after a long day at the hospital or clinic?Ìý
Lewandowski: Moving my body makes me feel great and relieves stress. I played beach volleyball in college, and I still play to this day. I’m also in the gym almost every day because that’s what works for me. I also like listening to music, reading a book and connecting with my family. Nothing too crazy or special, but just things to do consistently.Ìý
Coale: I like to run. If I’m not running, I’m doing something in the gym. I like to hang out with my roommates. They’re a big part of my support system, so hanging out with them, not doing anything other than sitting on the couch and talking or watching a silly show.Ìý
What’s your final message for the Class of 2025?Ìý
Lewandowski: I would say congratulations, of course. I’m so excited to see all my peers care for people around the world. We have a really stellar class, and they’re going to do great things. I’m just excited for everyone. I think we’re really going to make a good impact.Ìý
Coale: I would definitely say congratulations. I’ve been honored to be a part of the class and get to know everyone. I’m excited to see where everyone ends up and all the good things that they’ll do down the road. It’ll be cool to look back and say that I went to medical school with that person.Ìý