Hometown: Chicago, IL
Undergraduate College: University of Virginia
Major: Economics
Path to the Postbac Program:
- Singer
- Waiter
- Event planner
Postbac Graduation Year: 2009
Medical School: New York University School of Medicine
Profiles
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Tad Knier
“After graduating from college, I interviewed for a variety of positions in marketing and public relations, and I was hired by Lehman Brothers as an event coordinator. I hosted events at some of New York City’s most upscale restaurants, traveled widely and stayed in many premier hotels. Despite all of the great perks in my job, I was unsatisfied and didn’t like the direction my life was headed. In thinking about what I really wanted out of life, I realized I wanted to make a significant impact on the world around me and give back to my community.”
Sara Leitch
Hometown: Summit, NJ
Undergraduate College: Yale University
Major: Biology
Graduate School: Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
Degree: Master of Science
Path to the Postbac Premed Program:
- Sales and trading analyst
- Journalist
- Scientist
Postbac Graduation Year: 2009
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
"Growing up, I was always interested in science, but I was also interested in writing. As a reporter, I felt like what I was doing had an impact on my readers, but I wanted to make a different contribution to the world. After I had an accident that required surgery, I got a first-hand look at how medical care can change a patient's life. This experience combined with my love of math and science caused me to pursue a career in medicine."
Bisundev Mahato
Hometown: Lahan, Nepal
Undergraduate College: Harvard University
Major: Economics
Path to the Postbac Premed Program:
- Economic policy consultant
- Health policy researcher
- Emergency room volunteer
Postbac Graduation Year: 2009
Medical School: Harvard University School of Medicine
“I consider myself very lucky. Despite being born into an illiterate and poor family in Nepal, I have been able to study and work at some of the best institutions in the world, with some of the most successful people in the world. Although I felt I was contributing to society as a health policy researcher, I decided to pursue medicine because I was disappointed by the distance between my statistical analysis and the people I wanted to help. ”
Calvin Nash
Hometown: Hempstead, NY
Undergraduate College: Morehouse College
Major: Business Administration – Accounting
Path to the Postbac Program:
- Basketball player
- Investment banker
- HIV/AIDS researcher
Postbac Graduation Year: 2011
Medical School: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
“Gazing into the rising sun after a 20-hour day of work at an intense investment bank can make anyone question their motivations. For me, I knew that I was more than capable of handling this type of work but what did I really accomplish in those 20 hours? What impact had I made? I didn't have to look very far to see the transformational power that medicine possesses. Nephrological medicine and research gave my mother a renewed life after 9 years of renal failure. Orthopedic medical techniques allowed both my brother and me to recover from the same wrist injury and resume successful athletic careers. Through medicine, I hope to apply the work ethic that brought me success in banking to a more rewarding career and change the lives of other people just as medicine had done for me.”
Charles Rinehart
Hometown: Winter Garden, Florida
Undergraduate College: Georgetown University
Major: International Affairs
Path to the Postbac Premed Program:
- Husband
- U.S. Marine
- Outdoor Enthusiast
Postbac Graduation Year: 2011
Medical School: Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons
"When I was in high school, I suffered from a string of soccer-related injuries—including a torn ACL—that forced me to spend a fair amount of time under the care of orthopedic surgeons. I saw their compassion and their ability to heal others, and I knew then that I wished to be a part of the medical profession."
Matias Verna MD
Psychiatrist, New York State Psychiatric Hospital
Hometown: Tenafly, NJ
Undergraduate College and Major: George Washington University, Spanish Literature
Path to the Postbac Premed Program: Chef
Postbac Graduation Year: 1999
Medical School: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
“As the son of a legendary surgeon, I always wanted to become a physician. After cooking for my roommates throughout college, however, I decided to nurture my talent and pursue cooking professionally by travelling throughout Europe as an apprentice for some of the most talented chefs in the world. Upon the completion of my training, I landed my first executive chef position and later returned to the United States, where I opened a bakery. When I was ready to pursue medicine, I enrolled in the Postbac Premed Program, which had a seemingly limitless breadth that helped me understand how to mobilize a vast body of knowledge and make it useful. Today, I treat children, adolescents, and adults, but I most enjoy helping young patients find their strengths.”
