VUSM Student Stories

M3 Maddy Ball traveled to Barcelona, Spain, for a year-long research project By: Lexie Little Maddy Ball is no stranger to travel. Maddy Ball hikes all over the world. Her favorite trails in Tennessee include Fiery Gizzard and nearby Beaman Park. A native of Mill Valley, California, just outside of… Read More

Second-year Vanderbilt University School of Medicine medical student Harrison Thomas served as this year’s Shade Tree Trot 5K Run/Walk director, leading an effort to raise $46,500 for the student-run free clinic By: Lexie Little Harrison Thomas felt a tug in his right hip as he raced past Southeastern Conference opponents… Read More

Lizzie Flook at her Orientation Welcome Picnic in 2015. Photo by Joe Howell After seven years in the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Dr. Lizzie (Hale) Flook prepares to graduate with her MD this Friday. The University of Miami alumna, who played collegiate volleyball,… Read More

After four years serving as the Council of Class Officers president for the MD Class of 2022, Leland Dunwoodie reflects on his VUSM community By: Lexie Little For graduating students, the weeks leading to commencement mark a time of great excitement and anticipation of the future. And while that common… Read More

Alex Brito will graduate from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine on May 13, 2022, before beginning residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Massachusetts Alex Brito turns to her family after revealing her residency Match destination during the ceremony at VUSM on March 18, 2022. Photo: Anne Rayner By: Lexie… Read More

Fourth-year student Evan Mercer matched into med-peds at Vanderbilt on Friday, March 18, 2022 By: Lexie Little Leaves crunched under football fans’ feet as they converged toward Jess Neely Drive to see the Vanderbilt Commodores make their way to the stadium. Adults and children alike lined the street as the… Read More

Fourth-year MD student Patrick Donegan recently matched into ophthalmology for his upcoming residency. Before he leaves Vanderbilt, he shares reflections on life with his classmates and friends. By: Lexie Little In an alternate universe, M4 Patrick Donegan might have worked as a marine biologist. The California native could have spent… Read More

As she sat in hospital rooms at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt as a child, Sydney Nelson dreamed of being a doctor like the faculty at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine By: Lexie Little Sydney Nelson (left) and Emily Nelson (right) with Mr. Commodore at a Vanderbilt University… Read More

Molly Cromer Our Medical Physics students come from across the country to study with the faculty at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in both diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy tracks at the master’s level and in diagnostic imaging at the doctoral level. Molly Cromer is a first-year master of science… Read More

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine students prepare to match into residency as a couple ahead of their wedding this spring By: Lexie Little He watched her gather her things. Alan Makhoul, then a first-year medical student, walked with classmate Lex Erath at the end of a casual study session. The… Read More