“There are so many opportunities for leadership, different ways to explore medical specialties as early as the first year, and opportunities to network with MWU/CCOM alumni.”
Name:
Dani Sychowski
Hometown (City, State):
Lindenhurst, IL
Undergraduate degree:
Lake Forest College, B.A., Neuroscience and Psychology, Class of 2019
Current program(s) of study:
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
What inspired you to pursue a healthcare career?:
It's probably cliche, but even my parents say that I knew I wanted to study medicine since I was a kid. I think what really drove me to pursue becoming a physician were my experiences in college. During my freshman year, I started doing neuroscience research and momentarily considered pursuing research instead of medical school. However, my boyfriend died suddenly of a brain bleed right after my freshman year, and experiencing "medicine" from that perspective was eye-opening. I wanted to have a direct role in patient interactions. I worked at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab after college and took part in translational research, where you can have a better sense of how research impacts patients, but I still felt like I wanted my focus to be on medicine and directly caring for patients.
I also grew up playing softball and loved being in a "team environment." Medicine is very team-oriented, and that's an environment I thrive in.
A little later down the line, I became very involved in advocacy at both the local and national levels. Being able to take part in activities like writing resolutions and meeting with legislators helped me realize the role that healthcare professionals can have in advocating both on behalf of and alongside patients.
How did your background and history factor into your career choice?:
I am the first in my family to attend medical school. My dad and brother both served in the Navy, and many other family members also served in the military. Having to navigate this process, from pre-med until now, has been challenging. I am extremely grateful for the mentors I found along the way, and, because of the guidance I've had, I am passionate about mentorship. I remember not knowing how to approach the MCAT, obtain clinical experience, or the difference between M.D. and D.O., so mentoring students currently going through the pre-med process has been rewarding.
Why did you decide to attend Midwestern University?:
During my college and gap years, I was a scribe in an emergency department. One of the doctors I scribed for was a graduate of the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (CCOM). After learning more about his experience, I started to look more into Midwestern University. I knew that I wanted to attend a medical school close to home. Midwestern University felt a lot like my undergraduate campus environment in that it is smaller and there is an "open door" policy with professors.
I was hoping to stay close to home for medical school not only because it is where my family and support system are, but I also hope to practice in the area and build my career here. Having rotations in the Chicagoland area was a huge draw for me since many of them also have residency programs.
What about a Midwestern University education do you want to carry forward in your career?:
I have had so many opportunities to grow as a person and as a student here. There are so many opportunities for leadership, diverse ways to explore medical specialties as early as the first year, and opportunities to network with MWU/CCOM alumni.
I have also appreciated the opportunities for interprofessionalism on campus. Given that there is such a large team component to healthcare, and the University has several different healthcare colleges, we had a fantastic opportunity during our first year to work alongside other first-year students in other programs.
Anything else you'd like to add?:
Medical school is hard, and it can be easy to hide away and only focus on studying. That is obviously important, but I think that if you can find some way to get involved outside of studying, whether it's through student organizations, advocacy, volunteering, or hobbies, you'll be better off in the long run. I have been able to build my relationships, both social and professional, through getting involved on and off campus.
