PreHealth Spotlight: Kevin White Jr.

Class year: 2017
Major: Biology

I grew up in Springfield, an underserved area of Massachusetts. From this experience, I have gained a strong interest in the social determinants of health...

Vitals

• UMass Medical School Fourth Year
• Will Soon Start Residency at Walter Reed Military Medical Center

While at UMass Amherst...

• Worked in Bartlett lab in Biology Department
• Completed BaccMD Program 
• Tutored in Holyoke School System
• Volunteered at Nursing Home

I have been interested in medicine and wanted to be a doctor since I was in elementary school in Springfield – an underserved area of Western Massachusetts. I grew up in a single parent household. I have a strong interest in social determinants of health, which are the surroundings and conditions in the places that people live, work, learn, and play that affect a person's health and well-being. For example, the cleanliness of the air is different in a city versus a rural setting. Or, if there is violence, or the threat of violence, in a school setting, that will impact the wellbeing and health of the students in that school. At UMass Medical School, I joined the PURCH program (Population-based Urban and Rural Community Health track) which is based at Baystate Health in my home city of Springfield. Interacting with community members and youth who are negatively impacted by some of these social determinants of health, influenced me further to put myself in a position to make a change as a physician.

Medical school has been a great, intensive, and enjoyable experience. I have been able to build lifelong connections with some of my peers and gained the skills I will need for the future. I have been able to explore many opportunities and learn how to make an impact in my patient’s care. To help pay for medical school, I applied for an HPSP scholarship with the Navy. After I finish this last year of medical school, I will start my residency at Walter Reed Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. (Where the POTUS goes for medical care). The opportunity to serve my country and do what I have always dreamed, being a physician, is something I would have never imagined when I was young. The opportunity to gain leadership skills and practice global medicine are just a few of the benefits of being a physician in the military. My experience working with patients has been rewarding. It is surprising how once you enter the room, people are willing to tell you very personal information and value your opinion. It really helped emphasize why trust is so important in the medical community. I plan to specialize in Cardiology upon completion of my residency. I look to further my community involvement and education regarding social determinants of health and helping improve health disparities.

The experiences and activities that were most helpful and relevant to my medical school preparation were mainly doing things that interested me as a learner and helped further develop my identity as a future physician. While at UMass Amherst, I worked in the Bartlett lab, tutored both high-school-age and younger students, and volunteered to get interactions with patients and community members. Throughout undergrad, it was helpful to develop my interests and further my knowledge of medicine and helping people. My interest further developed through my volunteering and education/teaching work.

Applying to medical school takes a significant amount of time and preparation. I started working on my application fall of my Junior year in undergrad while slowly preparing to take the MCAT. I studied flash cards and increased my reading of scientific content. I took 4 weeks of dedicated study time prior to taking the MCAT. To be prepared for medical school interviews it is important to know what is going on in the world. Listening to NPR and other worldly relevant media sources were helpful for MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) prep, which is the interview format that UMass Medical School uses when applicants come for admissions interviews. In an MMI, you are faced with different ethical scenarios. Lots of practice to formulate a response that includes thinking of all aspects and points of view is helpful.

My advice is to be true to yourself and explore all your interests. This will only help you as you develop into your future career. Look for mentors as they can be invaluable.

Published April 2021