Get to Know: Erika Rapp
Our “Get to Know” series introduces several first-year medical students as the college welcomes the Entering Class of 2023.
Meet Erika Rapp, a West Point graduate with a passion for science and military medicine. As an Army doctor, she will fulfill her dream of caring for American’s warfighters and their families, and being an advocate for changes in medicine.
Tell us about yourself, Erika!
I grew up in Whitmore Lake and I am now attending medical school at the Grand Rapids campus. In my free time, I love to read, run, hike, and go out for donuts!
What was your journey to medical school like and why did you want to become a doctor?
I have been interested in medicine since my freshman year of high school, but my journey here has been a bit atypical. I attended West Point, the United States Military Academy, for my undergraduate degree in Life Science. There is where my passion for science and military medicine really developed as I participated in bacteriophage research and shadowed at the on-post hospital and at Walter Reed.
When I first arrived at West Point, I wasn’t certain if medical school was feasible for me; however, through all my experiences there, I grew to understand that medicine was where I’d make the greatest impact and was worth fighting for. By becoming an Army doctor, I’ll not only be able to care for America’s warfighters and their families, but also advocate for well needed changes in medicine today.
It is such an honor to have the opportunity to be a part of this profession and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
What are you looking forward to most in med school?
I am most looking forward to being fully invested in the study of the human body and patient care. In all my previous education, I’ve had to constantly flip between pre-medical studies and other fields of learning. While I have loved school up to this point, I am beyond excited to focus my time on studying medicine and learning how to care for others.
What does wearing a white coat mean to you?
Wearing a white coat represents hope to me. One part of that is the hope of healing and peace a patient has when visiting a doctor; but then it also represents hope for younger generations in becoming a part of the medical profession themselves.
Why did you choose MSU College of Human Medicine?
I chose MSU College of Human Medicine because my beliefs and aspirations fit in most closely with the college’s. During my interview, I felt comfortable with those I was speaking to and accepted for who I was. Coming out of the interview and learning more about the school, I knew the college would provide me a strong medical education and help me become the knowledgeable and compassionate doctor I aspire to be.
