Hi, my name is Hannah Berhow, and I am a second-year student at Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine. I grew up in the town of St. Michael in Minnesota, which is where I lived for most of my life. My childhood mainly consisted of playing soccer year-round, taking piano lessons, gardening with my mom and occasionally tagging along on fishing and hunting trips with my dad and older brothers.
Throughout high school, science and math were always some of my best subjects, and since I was young, I had always pictured myself doing something medical-related. A lot of my desire for that came from accompanying my dad to work as he has been in the medical device industry for over 30 years. I initially started undergrad at Iowa State University pursuing a degree in chemical engineering, thinking I would eventually get into biomedical engineering. However, this dream did not last long. I quickly learned that I would be much better suited to a career with interpersonal relationships and patient contact. So, after my first year, I transferred to the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, where I went on the pre-med route and majored in cell biology and genetics.
Like many undergrad students, I gained clinical experience by scribing in emergency departments and then immediately before coming to Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine, I got a master’s degree in biomedical science at Kansas City University. Being that Noorda is a newer school, it really interested me to be a part of something that’s still growing and accommodating to student feedback. As part of the second class to start at Noorda, I have had multiple opportunities for leadership and personal development, which will help me become a great physician.
Coming into medical school, family medicine has always been my number one pathway. I think I am drawn to this specialty because I picture myself living in a small town, not unlike the one I grew up in, and serving as a prominent figure in the community. I would love to have my own clinic someday where I can see a wide variety of patients and advocate for them through different stages of life. My goal is to be the kind of physician that my patients would recommend to their family and friends because they have had such great experiences with me.
Although I am still early in my medical career, I am eager to start the clinical portion of my schooling so I can further explore the specialty of family medicine and see everything it has to offer.
