Get to Know: Zeinab Mhanna
Our “Get to Know” series introduces several first-year medical students as the college welcomes the Entering Class of 2023.
Meet Zeinab Mhanna, who was inspired to pursue medicine during her role as a caregiver for seniors with dementia. Her journey begins at the Lansing Campus with her husband, Karim, who is also part of this year’s entering class of medical students!
Tell us about yourself, Zeinab!
I am 23 years old and grew up in Dearborn, raised by a single mother who immigrated to America. I have a sister, Nadine, who is a year younger than me, and I also have another sister, Leah, who is 16 years younger than me! I am Lebanese and I have two cats, Kandy Korn and Kannoli. I love to travel with my husband and learn new recipes from my mom.
I'm starting medical school with my husband, Karim! We have been together since we were 17 in high school and just got married this past June. We went on to pursue our undergraduate degrees in biochemistry at the University of Michigan and are now entering medical school together, which is truly a dream!
We've been each other's biggest supporters and motivators so to begin this next chapter together at the College of Human Medicine, an institution that fits both our missions and values so well, is something I still cannot believe. I'm so grateful to MSU for letting us reach our longest desired dream together.
What was your journey to medical school like and why did you want to become a doctor?
While medicine was always a field I considered pursuing while I was growing up. I would say I seriously began considering it when my mom got diagnosed with thyroid cancer in my teenage years. I admired the physicians that aided in her treatment plan and continue to guide her through getting back to a life of normalcy.
After my interest piqued, I took on a caregiving role at a residential home for seniors with dementia where I was the main point of contact and care for six seniors. The trust that families put in me and vulnerability they allowed themselves to show to me was the greatest honor I have ever experienced. Being a caregiver was a role that was integral in my decision to pursue medicine because, as fulfilling as being a caregiver was, I felt very limited in my role and had a strong desire to be a part of the process that helps treat and cure patients.
My role as a caregiver also gave me the opportunity to address medical stigmas surrounding dementia. I really enjoyed debunking medical disinformation because it gave me the chance to become a part of the community. I hope to continue to be a big part of the community as a medical student and future physician!
Why did you choose MSU College of Human Medicine?
For me, the decision to attend the College of Human Medicine was one of the easiest decisions I have ever made. From my interview to the call from Dr. Maurer to orientation, I have consistently been shown that it is the right school for me. Every interaction I have had with students and staff has been met with such a great deal of kindness, motivation, and humility.
The College of Human Medicine is the definition of a community-based medical school and I think that is what caught my eye from the beginning. They show such a deep interest in the different communities across the state and intentionally engage with community members to make medicine more inclusive.
The college acknowledges the great leaps and hurdles that medicine needs to make to become more inclusive and they make conscious efforts to help serve marginalized groups. I find the mission to be a great one and a perfect fit for me. I am so honored to be a student at the College of Human Medicine and I hope to embody these values as a future Spartan MD.
What are you looking forward to most in med school?
I am so excited to learn! I have become so fascinated with how our bodies work and the mechanisms behind these processes. I am really eager to finally begin to grasp all this knowledge and I am more eager to begin to delve into what we don't know and hopefully be a part of the "figuring it out" process!
As a Lansing Campus student, I am also looking forward to working with the community here. Lansing is a beautiful community with an abundance of diversity and I hope to learn from different demographics about how to be a better physician and create a more inclusive future in health care.
What does wearing a white coat mean to you?
It means everything to me! It means that my mom's struggle of raising us on her own was worth it and that means my journey has just begun. I am so excited for this amazing adventure!
Read more stories from the
Entering Class of 2023