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Profiles

Name: Rachel Garner
Class Year: 2008
Hometown: Ithaca, New York
Undergraduate Institution: University of Michigan
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Major: Biopsychology
Favorite Movie: Shawshank Redemption

Scholarships/Awards Received: Merit Scholarship, Robert Eich Award, Citizen Award

What influenced your decision to pursue a career in Medicine?
The human physiology course I took in college was the most exciting subject I had ever studied. Learning about how the body works and the complexities that keep everything functioning correctly most of the time, left me wanting to understand more about the human body. A career in Medicine was the avenue that could combine my interest in helping people as well as advancing my understanding of the human body.

What has been your most gratifying moment in medical school so far?
Pathophysiology class has thus far been the most gratifying. Each week, we read real cases published in medical journals, and worked in groups to figure out why the patient presented with the symptoms that he or she did. By the end of the week, we created a hypothesis demonstrating the pathophysiology behind the patient’s hypotension, decreased urinary output, etc. It was the first time we were consistently pushed to think like a doctor.

What has been your most challenging aspect of medical school thus far?
Balancing my personal needs with the challenges and expectations of being a medical student. Choosing to become a physician is a marathon. I’ve come to realize that life cannot be put on hold just because I have a test in 2 weeks. One day, in the not too distant future, it won’t be written exams; every patient I encounter will be an exam. Staying in touch with friends and family, exercising and eating right, sleeping, taking time to laugh can’t be put off until the NEXT test is over. Because another “test” will always be waiting for me.

What experience in medical school has surprised you the most?
The work of doing everything necessary to get into medical school was more difficult than actually doing medical school! Don’t get me wrong, it takes a lot of effort, but the effort is no longer about having to take requirements and filling out applications, but instead, all my energy is now directed toward learning something exciting. So in that respect I think medical school is very do-able.

What are your aspirations following medical school?
I see myself practicing medicine in an academic institution. I want to create a balanced life filled with a profession that I am competent at, friends and family that I feel close to, time to be healthy both physically and emotionally... and hopefully have a family of my own.

What do you do in your spare time?
What is spare time? (kind of joking, but not really!) Run, bike, snowboard, catch up with family and friends, work on making our curriculum better as an Educational Policy Committee Representative, maintain an exercise routine, read non-medical school books, go out to eat, and find time to hug my dogs.

What makes Upstate Medical University special?
I feel both honored and privileged to attend the same medical school as my grandfather Bernard Lustick, class of 1949, and my uncle Michael Lustick, class of 1978. Since beginning school here, I have been overwhelmed with the generosity of my teachers’ time, effort and concern. The extent to which the school administration encourages student participation in improvement of curriculum and quality of life is remarkable.

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