VUSM Student Stories

  • Woman poses for headshot

    Achieving a dream: M4 Alex Brito matches into neurology

    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

    Mar. 31, 2022

  • A man has his hand over his heart

    From Mr. C to Dr. M: M4 Evan Mercer connects with all ages

    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

    Mar. 23, 2022

  • Three people, a woman and two men, stand outside

    M4 Patrick Donegan forms friendships, future at VUSM

    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

    Mar. 10, 2022

  • Two people stand outdoors

    A heart for Vanderbilt: M1 Sydney Nelson reflects, looks forward

    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

    Mar. 3, 2022

  • Vanderbilt University

    Q&A: Molly Cromer (MSMP ’23) explores medical physics

    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

    Feb. 16, 2022

  • Two people in gray fleeces stand in front of a snowy mountain

    Making time for the perfect match: Alan Makhoul (MD ’22), Lex Erath (MD/MBA ’22) find partnership at VUSM

    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

    Feb. 11, 2022

  • Vanderbilt University

    M4 Steven Scaglione carves a path for himself

    From printmaking to pediatric practice, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine student Steven Scaglione looks to connect with people By: Lexie Little Steven Scaglione (MD ’22) Steven Scaglione dusts shavings off his most recent wood carving. Working groove after groove, day after day, an image assembles that he readies to ink… Read More

    Jan. 27, 2022

  • Roman & Arulita

    Student volunteers learn, lead during winter weather

    As a winter weather crisis crept across Middle Tennessee, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine students responded to needs at Vanderbilt University Medical Center by Lexie Little The news coverage continued. Snow blanketed the mid-state as temperatures plummeted. Cars sat stranded on ramps and side roads as ice crackled across asphalt. Read More

    Jan. 20, 2022

  • MSMP student applies prior skills to new field

    MSMP student applies prior skills to new field

    Shane Welsh, a former radiation safety technician, finds his way to VUSM for a Master of Science in Medical Physics by Lexie Little As Shane Welsh sat in Livermore, California, he contemplated whether he should stay. A North Dakota native, he remained unphased by the prospect of moving across the… Read More

    Dec. 2, 2021

  • Kenji Nanto sees the magic in imaging

    Kenji Nanto sees the magic in imaging

    A third-year Doctor of Medical Physics (DMP) student finds a career through training at VUSM by Lexie Little Doctor of Medical Physics (DMP) student Kenji Nanto knows the power of an image. Studying diagnostic imaging at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (VUSM), he grasps information about the amalgamation of particles… Read More

    Nov. 18, 2021