Luci Howard: Forging her own medical school experience

The Carver College of Medicine experience is centered around community. This helps students build a support network that allows them to pursue their interests, wherever they may take them. For fourth-year medical student Luci Howard, they’ve taken her around the world. 

Purpose-driven

Being a first-generation college student, Howard emphasizes that she molded her medical school experience to fit her interests, not the other way around.

“It was less about telling myself I have to go to medical school,” says Howard. “I was more focused on figuring out how I could become someone who is a successful, purpose-driven individual, and medicine really fit that niche.” 

For Howard, it’s the opportunities offered by the Carver College of Medicine that have prepared her for success. 

“Carver has so many ways to complement your interests,” says Howard. “Whether it be clubs, organizations, distinction tracks—there is so much support for students to pursue their individual interests.”

The places you’ll go

During medical school, Howard has traveled to Haiti, England, Washington D.C., and Baltimore to pursue various educational and research endeavors. 

In Haiti, Howard monitored and evaluated a newly implemented cervical cancer screening program. She also helped develop educational material and sessions for local community health workers. 

While in England, Howard worked with the University of Oxford’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology to compare and observe cervical cancer mortality rates globally in order to assess the barriers that prevent individuals from undergoing cervical cancer screening. 

“Carver was so flexible with my unique and individual wants and needs,” says Howard. “Throughout all my experiences, I had a strong group of folks at Carver who were willing to support me and make that happen.” 

Choosing her path 

Going forward, Howard wants to continue her work in obstetrics and gynecology, specifically in reproductive and sex worker health. She wants to split her time between academia and research, and potentially help shape women’s reproductive health policy. 

Howard emphasizes that the Carver College of Medicine provided the support system that allowed her to pursue her interests. Now, she wants to impart that knowledge to current and future medical students. 

“Pay attention to what interests you and what excites you about being in school,” Howard says. “It’s absolutely fine if your interests don’t necessarily align with what you think your medical school path should be.” 

Luci's results

Luci matched in obstetrics and gynecology at University of Connecticut in Farmington, CT.