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 hikers pose together on a rocky overlook with a pine tree nearby and snow-capped mountains in the distance.
Dose of Reality

The Couples Match: A Journey Through Compromise and Choosing Each Other

University of Michigan medical students Rose-Carmel Goddard and Cal Ernst discuss their experience with The Couples Match and finding their place for residency.
Person in a dark blazer and white shirt holds a sign reading “I MATCHED!” with “Into Neurosurgery” handwritten, standing indoors by large windows.
Dose of Reality

Backpropagating to Better Patient Care: My Experiences in an AI Neurosurgery Lab

University of Michigan medical student Samir Harake shares his journey training AI models in a UMMS neurology lab, allowing him to combine his passions for research and patient care.
Person in a navy suit with a light pink shirt and light blue tie wears a headset while seated at a desk in a home office; a bookshelf and closed double doors are in the background, with a window on the left.
Dose of Reality

Thank You For This Interesting Consult: Preparing for Residency with Friendly Competition

University of Michigan Medical Student Nikita Sanghavi describes her experience working on new medical student curriculum as part of Residency Prep Courses.
Five conference staff wearing name badges stand and sit around a registration table in a building lobby. A large sign on an easel reads “Michigan Disability Empowerment Conference Welcomes You,” with a smaller sign that says “Register Here.”
Dose of Reality

Building Community Through Disability Advocacy

University of Michigan medical students Mustapha Jaber and Mohamad Awada share how they've built community through disability advocacy through the development of the Michigan Disability Empowerment Conference.
Alt text: **Three people pose in front of a maize-and-blue balloon wall; the person on the left holds a bouquet, and they hold a sign reading “MATCHED! into General Surgery at HARVARD / BWH” with University of Michigan Medical School branding.
Dose of Reality

Pursuing Purpose: A Long, Strange, Joyful Journey to Discovering My Calling

University of Michigan medical student Jessie Dalman shares her path to medicine, what she discovered at UMMS and what lies ahead after graduation
Two people stand at the front of a lecture hall, one wearing a Michigan Medical School t-shirt and gesturing, near a podium with the University of Michigan logo.
Dose of Reality

Meeting Patients Where They Are: The Joys of Family Medicine

University of Michigan medical student Ailish Dougherty shares what led her to family medicine, how she hopes to build long-term relationships with her patients and how she's willing to meet patients where they are.
A group of people pose in front of a corrugated metal wall with a "food gatherers" sign and a large carrot graphic. Several individuals are wearing University of Michigan Medical School apparel, and four people in front hold a large plush carrot.
Dose of Reality

Love Is Our Resistance: Redefining Advocacy in the Patients & Populations Branch

University of Michigan medical student Navya Kalia discusses her work within the Patients and Populations Branch, an area of interest that focuses on advocacy, public health and public policy.
A group of friends wearing University of Michigan apparel pose together in the stands at Michigan Stadium during a football game, with the field, goalposts, and a large crowd of fans visible in the background.
Dose of Reality

Our Journey with the Doctoring Course

University of Michigan medical students Piroz Bahar and Jacie Lemos reflect on their experience in the Doctoring Course as they prepare to graduate and begin their residencies.
A person stands in front of a research poster about mental healthcare utilization for kink-identified patients, featuring survey results and graphs on reasons for non-disclosure to healthcare providers. The person wears a green sweater and a conference lanyard with a badge.
Dose of Reality

From Fear to Fighting for Change: My Journey in Sexual Health Education (So Far)

University of Michigan medical student Reni Forer discusses her journey in sexual health education, from learning as a student to applying her interest to residency.
A woman stands next to a display in a conference center that reads #AAMC25 Learn Serve Lead
Dose of Reality

Reflections on the 2025 Learn Serve Lead Conference

University of Michigan medical student Cassie Evans reflects on attending the Learn Serve Lead conference as part of AAMC's Organization of Student Representatives (OSR)
A woman sits at a table with a soccer jersey and signed contract
Dose of Reality

From Medicine to the Midfield: My Experience taking a Leave of Absence to Play Professional Soccer Abroad

University of Michigan medical student Katie Foug lived out her dream of playing professional soccer while also earning her medical degree — thanks to the support of her mentors and the leave of absence process
A medical student with a standardized patient who uses a wheelchair have a conversation in an exam room
Dose of Reality

Nothing About Us Without Us: Bringing Disability into Clinical Training

University of Michigan medical student Josee Li worked with a team to design the Disability Standardized Patient Program, which aims to train students on a wide spectrum of disability and care that patients may require
A medical student takes a blood pressure reading on a standardized patient
Dose of Reality

From Studying to Scrubs: Preparing for M2 Year with Transition to Clerkships

University of Michigan medical student Kalli Mulholland shares her experience with the Transition to Clerkships course, a monthlong experience that prepares M2 students for clinical work.
Medical students Grace and Kayla
Dose of Reality

Everybody In, Nobody Out: Building a Movement with UMMS SNaHP

University of Michigan medical students Grace and Kayla share how their involvement in the student chapter of SNaHP is helping shape their health care advocacy work.
Medical student Mahesh stands at a lectern speaking at Cass Technical High School
Dose of Reality

From Mentorship to Medicine: How Michigan Medical Students are Advancing Health Outcomes for All

University of Michigan medical student Mahesh Gupta reflects on some of the engaging opportunities outside of the classroom that made his first year of medical school meaningful.
two medical students with their Nepal collaborator
Dose of Reality

Small Wins, Big Heart: Reflections on Global Health in Nepal

University of Michigan medical students Gareema Agarwal and Kelly Beharry traveled to Nepal for a global health educational experience that left a lasting impression.
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.
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