Get to Know: Matthew Foley
Our “Get to Know” series introduces several first-year medical students as the college welcomes the Entering Class of 2023.
Meet Matthew Foley, who was inspired to pursue medicine by seeing his mother’s compassion for patients while working as a CNA in a nursing home. Matt begins medical school at the Lansing Campus and will return to the UP where he grew up to complete his training through the college’s Rural Physician Program.
Tell us about yourself, Matthew!
I am from Stephenson, a small rural town in the Upper Peninsula. I will be attending the East Lansing Campus for my first two years and then completing my Late Clinical Experience in Marquette at the Upper Peninsula Campus as a part of the Rural Physician Program.
I am a first-generation college student and graduated from Northern Michigan University with a degree in neuroscience. I was able to find support and comfort as a first-generation student by finding people with similar interests in different clubs and extracurricular opportunities such as the Neuroscience Club and Pre-Medical club, doing research in the Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center and volunteering as a youth basketball coach for the Marquette YMCA.
In my free time I enjoy cooking, playing basketball, and spending time with my dogs Caesar and Ruby.
What was your journey to medical school like and why did you want to become a doctor?
My journey to medical school has been one filled with many ups and downs and I am thankful for the people in my life that have been able to offer me support, guidance, and encouragement along the way to get me to this point, I could not be where I am today without them.
My interest in medicine started at a relatively young age. My mother was a CNA for more than 10 years and seeing her passion and her above and beyond care for patients in the various nursing homes she worked at over the years was my first introduction into the world of medicine.
As a freshman in high school my interest was elevated even more when both of my grandparents were diagnosed with cancer months apart. My grandfather was diagnosed with lung cancer that metastasized to his brain and my grandmother was diagnosed months later with leukemia and they subsequently passed away within a few weeks of one another. This experience led me to Northern Michigan University where I was able to do research in the Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center as well as pursue my end goal of becoming a physician through the College of Human Medicine’s Early Assurance Program.
Why did you choose MSU College of Human Medicine?
I chose the College of Human Medicine because I could see myself in the mission statement. Coming from a small, rural, medically underserved community in the Upper Peninsula I felt recognized in the college’s mission statement and wanted the opportunity to learn in a setting that could help me better give back to the community that made me who I am today or any of the medically underserved communities like it. I also wanted to be able to learn in an environment that valued collaboration and learning with people who come from different backgrounds that could offer perspectives much different than my own allowing me to grow and become the most well-rounded physician I could possibly be.
What are you looking forward to most in med school?
The things I am looking forward to most in medical school is the start of clinicals, building the skills and knowledge that I will take with me through the rest of my medical journey, and developing long lasting relationships with faculty, mentors, and fellow classmates along the way.
What does wearing a white coat mean to you?
Wearing a white coat has taken on a much different meaning to me recently. This past March I lost my mother unexpectedly. Wearing a white coat for me is a representation of all of the motivation, inspiration, and love that my mother provided me with along my journey to getting to where I am today. Throughout the many ups and downs of my path to getting to this point she was my rock and I am honored to be able to wear my white coat as a symbol of the dream that she helped me to achieve.
Read more stories from the
Entering Class of 2023