Road to Residency: Becoming a Spartan MD

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Medicine is a calling. For some, the dream to become a doctor begins early, while others are inspired by profound experiences in their lives. Regardless of the reason, they are all called to serve others. Read inspiring stories from the Graduating Class of 2023.


Sejal headshot

Sejal Mehta

From Patient to Pediatrician

When Sejal Mehta was 5 years old, a hearing test confirmed she had single-sided deafness in her left ear. Now as a rising Spartan MD, Mehta draws on her childhood experiences to provide compassionate care to others. She will soon head to Texas for a pediatrics residency at Baylor College of Medicine. Mehta is a graduate of the Midland Regional Campus.

Read about Sejal's road to residency

Thomas Barker in his scrubs and white coat.

Thomas Barker

Medicine Came Calling

Inspired by his mother’s commitment to medicine and community service, Thomas Barker will start an internal medicine residency at McLaren Health Care in Lansing after graduation. He's also pursuing a master of public health degree at MSU as another avenue to help others. Barker is a graduate of the Lansing Campus.

Read about Thomas' road to residency

Antara in her white coat.

Antara Afrin

Detroit native heads to Harvard and Yale

After graduation, Antara Afrin is first heading to Harvard for a pediatrics preliminary year, then a three-year dermatology residency at Yale. Her passion for serving underserved communities is fueled by her parents’ example and her Muslim faith. Afrin is a graduate of the Southeast Michigan Campus.

Read about Antara's road to residency

Kelvin Lim in his white coat

Kelvin Lim

Service Through Medicine

Kelvin Lim has always been passionate about serving others. He was initially drawn to politics but found his calling in medicine after serving as a medical scribe. Lim was an emergency medical technician in Los Angeles before med school. After graduating from the College of Human Medicine’s Grand Rapids Campus, he will begin a urology residency at University of Rochester Medical Center and Strong Memorial Hospital.

Read about Kelvin's road to residency

Ellie Gschwendtner in her white coat.

Ellie Gschwendtner

The Parallel Between Ceramics and Plastic Surgery

While studying for a bachelor’s degree in ceramics, Ellie Gschwendtner worked as an anesthesia technician. While watching a plastic surgeon work, she was intrigued by the similarities between the two fields and believes her experience in ceramics will make her a better physician. Gschwendtner is a Traverse City Campus graduate with a Leadership in Rural Medicine certificate.

Read about Ellie's road to residency

Nick LeMire in his white coat.

Nick LeMire

Continuing the Family Tradition

Nick LeMire comes from a family of doctors with a long history of serving underserved communities in the Upper Peninsula. After graduating from the UP campus, Nick will begin a residency in family medicine through the University of Washington Chelan RTT. While plans could change, Nick has an eye towards returning to the UP to start his own practice.

Read about Nick's road to residency

Marielle He in her white coat.

Marielle He

Finding a Purpose in Medicine

As a young girl in China, the thought of becoming a doctor never occurred to Marielle He. After graduation, she begins her residency in general surgery at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. He says medicine gave her a purpose and serving as a Navy physician is an important way for her to give back.

Read about Marielle's road to residency