News Center

We interviewed current seniors and alumni leading up to National Doctors Day on their experience with Allegheny’s Health Professions Office and the Pre-Health track. We’re proud of the work our physician alumni do every day, and of our students following in that path!

Hannah Smith ‘19 from Pittsburgh, PA. Neuroscience Major, Education Minor:

Q: What made you want to become a doctor?
A: “I’ve known since I was a sophomore in high school that I wanted to be a doctor! Allegheny’s pre-med track was one of the main reasons that I chose Allegheny!”

Q: How has Allegheny helped you on this path?
A: “Allegheny has given me amazing research opportunities to complete independent studies and present my findings at state and national conferences!”

Q: Which professor has had the biggest impact on your time at Allegheny?
A: “I couldn’t possibly pick one professor who has had the biggest impact on me. I’ve had so many influential professors from many departments!”

On campus, Smith is on the Women’s Soccer team, is part of Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity, and Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

Alan Cuevas Villagomez ‘19 from Immokalee, FL. Biology Major, Psychology Minor:

Q: What made you want to become a doctor?
A: “I specifically chose Allegheny because of its strong pre-health program. However, I was not sure what health profession I wanted to pursue. Allegheny helped me gauge my interest and provided me with the resources to pursue internships and shadowing opportunities that helped me decide I wanted to practice medicine as a physician.”

Q: How has Allegheny helped you on this path?
A: “Allegheny has provided me with an outstanding liberal arts education.”

Q: Which professor has had the biggest impact on your time at Allegheny?
A: “I am deeply grateful for the advice and guidance that Professor Bradley Hersh has given me for the past three years.”

On campus, Cuevas Villagomez is involved in Delta Tau Delta fraternity, is the VP of the Minority Association of Pre-medical Students (MAPS), the Student Representative for the Health Profession Advisory Committee (HPAC), and is a Health Coach for the Meadville Medical Center.

Lisa Yoder ‘19 from Erie, PA. Biochemistry Major, Global Health Studies Minor:

Q: What made you want to become a doctor?
A: “I have followed the pre-med track since my first year at Allegheny. Medicine is an amazing field that depends on human connectedness and has the power to transform. I am becoming a doctor so that I can be in the position to consider another person’s story and guide them through difficult circumstances. I want to become a physician because of my inner desire to be present, to listen, and to care.”

Q: How has Allegheny helped you on this path?
A: “My experience at Allegheny has benefited me in many ways:

1. “The small class sizes have allowed me to work closely with professors and peers, learn from them, and ask a lot of questions.
2. “I was supported in pursuing a lot of my different passions from athletics to academics and extracurriculars.
3. “The health coaching program at Allegheny is a unique opportunity to get personal experience interacting with patients and people in the Meadville community.
4. “I have had constant exposure to research, reading, writing, presenting, and public speaking.
5. “During my time at Allegheny, I have been challenged to expand my worldview and consider difficult questions.”

Q: Which professor has had the biggest impact on your time at Allegheny?
A: “Dr. Betush has had one of the biggest impacts on my time at Allegheny. I have had him as a professor for Organic Chemistry 1 and 2 and have worked as a lab TA for him. What I appreciate most about Dr. Betush is that he takes the times to get to know his students outside of academic interests. His value on creating genuine relationships with students results in a deepened sense of connection and belonging.”

On campus, Yoder is involved in Health Coaching and Tri-Beta, the Biology Club; is a Chemistry Tutor and Lab Assistant, a Women’s Basketball Manager, the Student Representative on the Health Professions Advisory Committee, a Biochemistry Research Assistant, a volunteer for Grounds for Change (GFC), and Medical Assistant.

Jesse Ottaway ‘19 from Hollidaysburg, PA. Biology Major, Music Performance Minor:

Q: What made you want to become a doctor?
A: “My first biology class, in 9th grade, instilled a passion for the subject that continues today. I’ve always wanted to have a fulfilling career that allows me to do what I love to help others, so I decided then that becoming a doctor was the perfect fit for me. My interest in medicine flourished at Allegheny, and the experiences I’ve had here have really solidified my choice.”

Q: How has Allegheny helped you on this path?
A: “Allegheny’s professors have all been incredible for me. I’ve never encountered such a group of people so dedicated to the success of their students. Our pre-health advisor, Kirsten Peterson, has also been a tremendous resource in realizing all the pre-health opportunities that are out there, including health coaching.”

Q: Which professor has had the biggest impact on your time at Allegheny?
A: “The professor who has had the biggest impact on my time at Allegheny is Dr. P.J. Persichini. I went through the most trying time of my life when in his class sophomore year. I couldn’t thank him enough for being there for me in office hours, patiently catching me up, giving me counsel, and instilling in me the confidence to pass a class I thought would doom my career goals.”

On campus, Ottaway is involved in numerous select string groups, is the Co-Captain of Allegheny College Golf Team, has served as principal cellist in the Civic Symphony, previously served as treasurer of the International Club, and has been a health coach through Meadville Medical center for the past two years.

Alumna Sarah Eidbo ’17 from Meadville, PA. Neurology Major, Art History Minor:

Q: How did Allegheny help direct you towards a medical career?
A: “Allegheny helped give me the resources I needed to prepare for medical school, and gave me the discipline I would need to handle the workload of a medical school curriculum. It also helped me make connections with professionals in my field to gain clinical and research experiences that help me hold my own even now as a medical student.”

Q: What professor had the most significant impact on your time at Allegheny?
A: “That’s a tough one. Probably Dr. Clark, Dr. Coates, Dr. Schindler in the Art History department, Dr. French, or Dr. Betush. I owe a lot to the entire neuroscience department. Also Kirsten Peterson. I think I probably owe my life to KP, to be honest.”

Q: How did Allegheny help to prepare you for your experience after graduation?
A: “Allegheny helped me make valuable connections. I was able to experience so much – both in medicine and in research – thanks to some of the strong alumni relationships Allegheny gives you. It helped me form a professional identity.”

Q: What medical school have you been matched with, and what career do you intend to pursue?
A: “I am a medical student at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, in Scranton, PA. I plan on graduating with my MD in 2022, and have no idea what I want to pursue for a specialty. Right now, I’m leaning towards oncology, but I’m considering just about everything.”

While on campus, Eidbo was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority, the Pre-Health club, a string ensemble, and Orchesis Dance Ensemble; was a health coach for three years; and was a general chemistry Teaching Assistant and tutor. She also performed neuroscience research with Dr. Rodney Clark, assisted in senior projects, and shadowed through the preceptorship program at Meadville Medical Center.

Alumnus Sam Thomas ‘18 from Memphis, TN and Fruit Heights, UT. Biology Major, Psychology Minor:

Q: How did Allegheny help direct you towards a medical career?
A: “Allegheny helped direct me towards a medical career through comprehensive pre-medical content education, optimistic yet realistic pre-professional advising, and extensive exposure to extracurricular opportunities pertaining to healthcare. Allegheny’s curriculum featured challenging, stimulating, and relevant pre-medical courses that not only helped me discover whether or not I was academically fit for the challenge of medical education, but also allowed me to determine whether or not my passion lied in the field. Allegheny’s pre-medical committee and the resources they offered me were instrumental in pre-application introspection as well as in success on the interview trail. In addition, the extracurricular opportunities that Allegheny offers in the healthcare field, such as health coaching or preceptorships, help applicants get their feet wet in the healthcare field while simultaneously making them more competitive applicants.”

Q: What professor had the most significant impact on your time at Allegheny?
A: “I had many professors who significantly impacted my time at Allegheny. As such, I will just state which professor taught my favorite class. Dr. Humphreys and her microbiology class were both incredible. Dr. Humphrey’s teaching not only focused more on critical analysis and understanding instead of content memorization, but her curriculum also offered students the chance to debate topics like vaccination as well as to teach a lecture of their choosing to the class. The material also pertained largely to the healthcare field, which was very exciting. Add in the trip to the dairy farm, and my time in Dr. Humphrey’s class was incredible.”

Q: How did Allegheny help to prepare you for your experience after graduation?
A: “Allegheny prepared me well for my gap year research job as well as for my medical school applications after graduation. The extensive laboratory experiences I had at Allegheny offered me technical proficiency that allowed me to easily learn all of the techniques required at my gap year job. Allegheny’s research curriculum helped me become skilled in critically analyzing and writing scientific literature, aiding me in writing for publication. In addition, Allegheny’s emphasis on public speaking prepared me incredibly well to be able to articulately and professionally present my research findings to different types of audiences in a variety of settings. With regard to medical school applications, Allegheny’s pre-medical committee helped me learn how to introspect and interview well, and offered me data and information from previous students that helped prepare me for application and interview success.”

Q: What medical school have you been matched with, and what career do you intend to pursue?
A: I will be matriculating to Des Moines University’s Class of 2023. While I am not 100% committed to any particular physician specialty yet, I am most interested in Emergency Medicine, Anesthesiology, General Surgery, and Ophthalmology.”

While on campus, Thomas was involved with the Men’s Lacrosse Club, Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, worked as a student first aid provider for a year, volunteered at the Crawford County Humane Society and the Stone United Methodist Church Soup Kitchen, and was a part of the Community Care Network’s Health Coaching Internship through Meadville Medical Center.

For more information about Allegheny’s Health Professions Office: https://sites.allegheny.edu/health/