Dose of Reality
Unique Passions, Boundless Opportunities

Read stories written by our own students as they pursue their dreams through Medical School.

 A group of medical students at the White Coat Ceremony
Two people pose with a sign that reads "I Matched! General Surgery, U Chicago!"
Dose of Reality
From the Barre to the OR: My Unexpected Path to Becoming a Surgeon
University of Michigan medical student Sarah Diaz shares her unconventional journey to becoming a surgeon after careers in ballet and nursing.
 three medical students in military uniform
Dose of Reality
The Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) Experience: Military Medicine and the Road to Match Day
University of Michigan medical student Olivia Hazelrigg shares what it's like to participate in the Health Professions Scholarship Program, military medicine and the Match Day experience.
 Seven medical students hold "I Matched" signs in a group photo in front of a balloon Block M
Dose of Reality
Empowering Future Physicians Through Tutoring
University of Michigan medical student Mary Kress nurtures her passion for medical education through tutoring — a skill that has helped both her fellow classmates and her own education.
 Two medical students in masks take a selfie
Dose of Reality
The World’s Greatest Magic Trick
University of Michigan medical student Mohika shares an experience in labor and delivery that confirmed her passion for pursuing the OBGYN specialty.
 Yash Nayuk wears a white coat and stands in front of a fountain
Dose of Reality
Exploring AI Opportunities as a Michigan Medical Student
University of Michigan medical student Yash Nayak explores his interest in AI through a variety of project opportunities, including curriculum development and study resources for students.
 Shannon Clare stands next to a research poster
Dose of Reality
Adult Guardianship and the Clinician: My Journey in Curriculum Development and Conference Presentation
University of Michigan medical student Shannon Clare explores how her interest in the ethics surrounding adult guardianship led to the development of new curriculum and the opportunity to present as medical conferences.
 Sahil Tolia holding a large sugar pine cone
Dose of Reality
Seeing the Forest and the Trees: Rediscovering Forestry in Medical School
University of Michigan medical student Sahil Tolia shares his love of forestry, a pastime he was able to pursue as a first-year medical student thanks to the flexible schedule of preclinical year.
 Two medical students stand at the central line and ultrasound guided IV placement station.
Dose of Reality
Cultivating a Passion for Ultrasound: How it Began with Diagnostics and Therapeutics
After completing the Diagnostics and Therapeutics (D&T) Branch during Branch Launch, third-year medical student Melis Ozkan discovered a career interest in ultrasound.
 Malak Elshafei facilitates a workshop with a small group
Dose of Reality
Bridging the Gap: Integrating Electronic Health Record (EHR) Training into Medical Education
University of Michigan medical student Malak Elshafei wants to prepare future medical students for clinical practice by introducing electronic health record training into the M1 year.
 Medical students Siddhi Deshpande and Hanin Elhagehassan with the vision center team in India
Dose of Reality
Through the Looking Glass: Gaining Perspectives in Global Health
University of Michigan medical students Siddhi Deshpande and Hanin Elhagehassan share their global health experience studying neuro-ophthalmological conditions in India.
 A group of students from the Black Medical Association at the SOS Food Pantry, where they volunteered
Dose of Reality
Cultivating Connections: Visualizing Our Community's Food Resources in Washtenaw and Wayne Counties
University of Michigan Medical School student Leta Ashebo explores how long-term lifestyle factors, particularly nutritional habits, influence the management and well-being of vulnerable populations with chronic conditions.
 3d model
Dose of Reality
Revolutionizing Surgical Training
University of Michigan medical student Kyle Peres worked with a team to develop a 3D surgical training tool that simulates suturing a damaged blood vessel with liquid.
 Three people standing outside the west gate of Peking Union Medical College
Dose of Reality
Crouching Wolverine, Hidden Dragon: A Summer of Clinical and Research Opportunities in China
University of Michigan Medical School student Claire shares her experience as on a global health rotation in China.
 Three female medical students smiling and holding signs near Pickleball courts
Dose of Reality
Medicine in Motion: Reducing Burnout Through Fitness
University of Michigan Medical School student shares information about a student organization she's involved in called Medicine in Motion.
 Group of people standing outside a building and underneath a sign that reads TechnoCore
Dose of Reality
Gaining a Global Perspective: Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Michigan Medicine and Beyond
Seven thousand miles away, I arrived in Samoa, a Pacific Islander Nation with some of the highest rates of chronic disease on our planet. Nearly half of the population in Samoa has diabetes, placing t...
 A group of people smiling for the camera
Dose of Reality
In with the Old, In with the New: Building Community and Continuity in Medical School
A couple of weeks before the start of my M1 year at the University of Michigan Medical School (UMMS), I remember feeling a huge range of emotions. Of course, I was ecstatic to be coming to such an ama...
 Three people standing at a UM podium in front of a projector screen
Dose of Reality
Compassionate Connections: Medical Spanish at the University of Michigan Medical School
LMSA Midwest Conference
 Woman standing on the White House lawn with chairs set up
Dose of Reality
Rediscovering My Home in DC at the Academic Surgical Congress
It took me two hours to find my DC Metro card. I had gone out of my way to get a special edition cherry blossom one during my gap years there, and I definitely still had money on it. I was excited to ...
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