ATSU-SOMA provides experiences close to home and across the country in medical education

ATSU-SOMA provides experiences close to home and across the country in medical education

For Lizzie Hillier, OMS IV, A.T. Still University's School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA) offered the best of both worlds.

Hillier, born and raised in Arizona, didn't need to go far to find a medical school, so the Mesa, Arizona, campus provided an opportunity to begin her studies near family. Also, ATSU-SOMA's partnerships for clinical rotations around the country provided Hillier an opportunity to spend two years in Brooklyn, New York, honing her skills.

"My experiences there have shaped me into becoming an even more well-rounded physician," she said.

Hillier, who has degrees in physiology and biochemistry from the University of Arizona, would like to go into family medicine, with a particular focus on geriatrics.

"ATSU places an emphasis on primary care medicine, so I feel that the clerkship rotations I've been provided have really prepared me for that setting," she said.

Hillier is a member of ATSU-SOMA's Student Government Association (SGA), serving as president, a representative with ATSU-SOMA's Strategic Planning Committee, and a student ambassador.

"I joined SGA to not only be a voice for my classmates and advocate for our education, but to also challenge myself with my leadership skills. SGA has taught me a lot about time management, professionalism, and communication," she said. "I find fulfillment in being a mentor to others and became a student ambassador for that reason. I think it can be so easy to compare ourselves to others throughout our medical journey, and I wanted to be someone that pre-medical students could come to with any questions/concerns they may have. Everyone's path to medical school is different and I feel it can be motivating to hear from people who have been in similar situations and managed to succeed through it all."

In her free time, Hillier enjoys baking, and last year made cakes for each member of her cohort. She's enjoyed the strong relationships she's made with her fellow student doctors.

"I love my classmates! I felt really lucky to have the CHC (community health center) cohort I had and I've made some of the best friends thanks to medical school," she said.