CCOM Women in Medicine 

My Greatest Accomplishment....

"My greatest professional accomplishment is being second co-author of a research paper published in American Chemical Society during my time working for the MacGillivray research group. I was awarded a scholarship from UIF- Chemistry Funding for my work that helped allow me to continue pursuing my passions while going to school!”

Alexis Brannan-Vincent, PA-1

"My biggest accomplishment(s) is growing three humans, giving birth to all of them safely at home AND the hardest part, not losing my mind or messing them up too much as they continue to grow with me in this crazy world!”

Sarah Costello, M1

"Earning a full scholarship to play college volleyball. I LOVED sports growing up and felt so thankful to get to play in college and go to Northeastern where I got to live in downtown Boston. My sophomore year my team even got to travel to Cuba for a service project and play 2 of their National teams!"

Alayna Whitehead (#14), PA-1

Getting the opportunity to be a TA in France. I was on a study abroad program in Lyon, France in 2016, and got asked to come back to help teach organic chemistry in 2017. It was a really special experience not only because I was able to travel abroad again, but that the coordinators trusted me enough to help teach their students and make sure they navigated Europe safely. Lyon quickly became my home away from home, and still is in many ways. Now I’ve travelled to 22 different countries and don’t plan to stop there (once it becomes safe enough to do so again) - Seine in Paris

Avery Zickar, PA-1

"My greatest accomplishment? Being accepted into the Iowa PA program of course!"

Hailey Sauders, PA-1

"Climbing to the top of (Mount Tai Shan)!"

Jayden Bisson, M1

"I’m proud of qualifying for/running at nationals for college cross country!"

Jenny Dickes, PA-1

"My biggest accomplishment was successfully defending my honor's thesis after two years of work and publishing it as first author in Biomedical Materials!"

Amelia Hurley-Novanty, M1

"One of my proudest accomplishments was my research work in molecular pharmacology and experimental therapeutics at the Mayo Clinic. During my time, I identified and experimentally demonstrated a novel protein-protein interaction in the Treslin-TRCT DNA damage repair pathway in response to the chemotherapy drug cytarabine."

Elizabeth Patton, PA-1

"My proudest accomplishment is the growth that’s occurred within the sport of rock climbing over the past few years! When I started, I was too afraid of heights to climb more than 10 feet off the ground and thanks to some amazing friends and family I’ve grown to the point where I’m comfortable taking new climbers outside to show them the ropes (pun intended haha). The above photo is from one of my favorite climbing trips- we climbed up a big wall right next to a waterfall in Yosemite National Park, then swam in a natural pool at the top of the waterfall. A beautiful day that was scary and challenging but so so rewarding!!!"

Alaina Berg, M1

"My greatest accomplishments have been attending Iowa’s reputable PA program, caring for sick patients alongside the diligent MICU staff at UIHC, helping to provide otherwise inaccessible healthcare to marginalized populations through the Free Medical Clinic, and hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu."

Gretta Hingl, PA-1

“My greatest accomplishment (other than just getting into and surviving medical school) is my patience for growing out and donating my hair (currently on round #4) to help people who are experiencing hair loss!”

Katherine Merritt, M4

“My greatest accomplishment thus far is overcoming the social, racial, and economic barriers I was born into in order to graduate with my bachelors degree and successfully getting into (and so far surviving) medical school. My childhood would be characterized by most as traumatic but I did not let this stop or slow me down in my pursuit to create a life for myself different from how I was raised. I plan to continue defying the odds as I pursue my career goals in academic medicine.”

-       Breanna Cutrer, M1

“I am Elvire Nguepnang. I am a 1st year medical student here at Carver. To be here in Iowa and have this opportunity to study medicine is a blessing. I did not take the traditional path to medical school so my journey here was quite tumultuous. After university,  I spent 2 years in a post-baccalaureate program preparing for the MCAT. Unfortunately, not only did I have to retake the exam more than once but I also had to reapply to medical school for a second time before I finally got this opportunity. I thought my greatest accomplishment was matriculating into medical school especially because of the time, energy and effort that went into accomplishing this goal. But to be honest, after reflecting on this question, I believe my greatest accomplishment is continually learning from my failures and not letting my mistakes define me. Failing is painful but it has taught me more than success and as a future physician, it is a skill that will help me take care of my patients.”

-       Elvire Nguepnang, M1

"My proudest accomplishment is being the first person in my family to graduate college. I feel honored to be able to continue my education as a medical student and am grateful for the opportunities I've had to give back to my University and local community. I lead two nonprofit organizations and am working towards my dream of providing accessible and quality healthcare to non-English speaking patients, immigrants, and refugees."

-       Angeline Best, M2

“My greatest accomplishment was my acceptance into the University of Iowa PA Program! It validated that all the effort and hours worked towards achieving this goal paid off. I knew I would be receiving the best education possible and was one step closer towards my dream of being a physician assistant.”

-       Elise McCune, PA-1

“My accomplishment is representing UIHC at the Iowa Hospital Association Conference and meeting Dr. Sanjay Gupta (big moment for me because I want to be a neurosurgeon just like him).”

-       Meredith Hickereson, M1

“For two years I served as director of a nonprofit organization that supported children through and beyond a parent’s cancer (Camp Kesem for those interested). In doing so, each year I led a team of 18 executive members in fundraising $150,000 and organizing year round support and two weeks of summer camp to send ~180 children to camp free of charge. At camp these children were able to find support and create connections with others going through similar experiences. Watching their personalities shine throughout the week as they found their place within the community and having played a part in their joy – there is nothing that beats that feeling.”

-       Elyse Kerian, M1

Prepared by the Diversity Co-Chairs of CCOM Flocks Learning Community 2021 - Alexis Vincent and Sarah Costello