Henry Paiste, MS3

Tell us about your hometown & why you chose to pursue medicine.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I had the opportunity to shadow and get to know some physicians in my community during high school. Their jobs sounded absolutely amazing and seeing it first-hand was so eye-opening. During undergrad, I had the opportunity to volunteer in a medical clinic for underserved and underinsured patients, and this solidified medicine for me. Even the profound impact a small medical team (a few undergrads, medical students, and one attending physician) could have on one's health and well-being was something I found so amazing and rewarding, even being only peripherally involved. This, combined with my love for research and the basic sciences, pulled me right into medical school.

Why did you choose to attend UABSOM?
The people. You need to choose a medical school and hospital where you find people you mesh with. From shadowing in the OR as a first-year, to your professors and instructors pre-clinically, to your residents and teams during your clinical years, and of course your classmates in your year and in the years ahead and behind you --these are the people who will shape you to build you into a physician! Invest in yourself, but also invest in those around you. Everybody I have met in medical school has shaped me into the medical studentI am today and I am so grateful for all of them.

What has your med school experience been like so far?
Absolutely great. Medical school is hard, do not get me wrong, but again, surrounding yourself with the right people makes all the difference. You needto build that support system of people around you (who are going through the same thing you are!) and who better than your classmates and friends across all four classes? Medicine is a team sport, and medical school is no different.

How has the adjustment to Birmingham been? Any advice for future out-of-state students?
It's not easy. You will definitely miss what you know --your home, your friends, your undergraduate institution, etc. But Birmingham and especially UAB are so warm, welcoming, and inviting, this place will feel like home in no time. I can't speak to other regional differences, but Southern Hospitality is definitely a thing, and it's something I've come to love and appreciate. My advice? Enjoy your last summer with your undergrad or hometown friends and soak it in. Don't do any studying. When you get here, find and surround yourself with people that you like and whose company you enjoy. And of course, make time once a week or once every two weeks to call, text, or FaceTime your friends from back home (I can't stress the importance of this!

Jessica Wu, MS1

Tell us about your hometown & why you chose to pursue medicine.
I moved around a lot when I was younger, but spent most of my formative years in the Bay Area, California. I went to undergrad in Minnesota and then moved to Southern California to work in clinical research. The lab moved to Birmingham in 2015 and I've been here ever since! I decided to pursue medicine because of the many patients that I interviewed through my clinical research. Their stories and experiences have helped influence the type of physician I aspire to be in the future. 

Why did you choose to attend UABSOM?
Since I moved to Birmingham in 2015, I have developed a strong support network here. UABSOM was a no-brainer because I could remain close to them and continue doing the research that I enjoyed. Additionally, I’ve really enjoyed Birmingham as a city!

What was your impression of Birmingham before you came? Has it changed since then, and if so, how?
I honestly didn’t know much about Birmingham before moving here. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to get around. In Los Angeles, I had to drive hours to get anywhere, but in Birmingham I can pretty much get anywhere I want to within 15 minutes. There are also lots of restaurants and bars that have opened downtown. 

Juliann Wang, MS1

Tell us about your hometown & why you chose to pursue medicine.
I was born and raised in Sacramento, Calif. and went to undergrad in Northern California. Birmingham is my first big move away from home. I grew up surrounded by physicians in my family and saw medicine as a career that would allow me to combine my interest in science with my joy of caring for people and building relationships. There are also a lot of disparities to accessing quality medical care and I wanted to be an advocate for patients to work towards change. 

Why did you choose to attend UABSOM?
UAB has so many opportunities that are suitable for any and all interests. I was excited by the opportunities available and talking with faculty and students during my interview really made me excited about the people I would get to learn from and work alongside. 

How has the adjustment to Birmingham been? Any advice for future out-of-state students?
Moving to a new city in the middle of a pandemic was not ideal. I have been able to survive because of my amazing roommates and fabulous ICM group. I feel lucky to have built such close friendships with them in such a short amount of time. My advice would be to reach out and ask for help. Whether it be personal or academic obstacles that you encounter during your time here, there are people and resources that can assist you in whatever you need.

Florencia Scaglia Drusini, MS3

Tell us about your hometown & why you chose to pursue medicine.
My hometown is New Iberia, La., a small town built on a rich French and Spanish culture. All around New Iberia, the sugarcane climbs to the sky and the food is a can't miss! I chose to pursue medicine because when I was a little girl, my grandmother was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Her experience affected me a great deal growing up and inspired me to choose a career path that would allow me to care for families like my own. 

Why did you choose to attend UABSOM?
I love my home state of Louisiana and felt that I had a wonderful support system among peers and family. However, I believed it was time to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself. Although it was difficult to make that step during one of the more academically stressful times of our lives, it has helped me to grow and develop a new perspective on life. I would not trade those initially uncomfortable few weeks of moving to a new place for anything! 

How has the adjustment to Birmingham been? Any advice for future out-of-state students?
It certainly took some time to get used to being away from home and loved ones. However, I really took the opportunity to attend social events at the start of first year and meet my classmates! You will naturally find the people that you best relate to and enjoy if you just take that first step--eventually, they will become your family! 

Jared Halstrom, MS3

Tell us about your hometown & why you chose to pursue medicine.
I’m from Long Island, NY. I grew up in a suburban town a few miles outside NYC. Growing up I always loved science in school. As I learned more about medicine, I was extremely eager to become part of a profession that allowed me to use science to help people in need. 

Why did you choose to attend UABSOM?
I went to undergrad at the University of Alabama, and during my time there, everyone always mentioned how great of a medical school UAB had. When I visited for my interview I was blown away by the hospital and some of the faculty I got the chance to speak with. The medical students also seemed genuinely happy, which is something I felt was missing at other schools. I saw UAB as a prestigious school with an amazing culture and my decision was easy.

What was your impression of Birmingham before you came? Has it changed since then, and if so, how?
Being from New York, I was honestly a bit worried that Birmingham wouldn’t have enough to offer. After living here for three years, my opinion has completely changed. Birmingham has more than enough awesome restaurants and bars, plus a lot of great spots to do things outdoors. The weather is also a major plus.