On her way to medical school, SBS graduate makes time to give back
When Whitney Miller crosses the stage at The University of North Texas at Health Science Center’s graduation ceremony, she’ll be celebrating some major accomplishments: earning a Master of Science in Clinical Research Management from the School of Biomedical Sciences and her recent acceptance into medical school at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine.
These accomplishments highlight Miller’s academic success at HSC at Fort Worth, but one of the things that really shaped her experience at HSC was the opportunity to give back.
While earning her degree, Miller served as an orientation leader, a student ambassador and a teaching assistant. She wanted to help guide new students, the way that others did for her when she was new to campus.
“HSC is so much more than an academic institution,” Miller said. “It really is a big community.
“I hope that the advice that I have given has helped at least one person. Having individuals reach out with advice while I was starting the medical science program helped me a lot and I wanted to do the same for the current cohort.”
Tell us about your journey leading up to attending HSC.
I graduated from undergrad in 2016 with a degree in chemistry intending to go to medical school. After graduation and not getting accepted into medical school, I sought out a research program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso where I spent the summer working on a research project in HIV. It was there that I learned about specialized master’s programs and thought it could be a potential route to medical school.
Before applying to medical school again, I knew I needed to get clinical experience. I worked alongside various dermatologists around the state. I worked in a Mohs clinic, cosmetic practices and general dermatology clinics. It was working alongside these great physicians helping treat patients and learning various procedures and diseases that inspired me back to the path of medical school.
One physician that I worked alongside and looked up to was a TCOM graduate. This is what initially made me interested in HSC. I applied to the Master of Science in Biomedical Science program and got in. I completed the program and decided to stay for another year to complete the Clinical Research Management internship.
During my time completing the CRM program, I also applied to medical school. I am happy and proud to say I will be staying at HSC as I have been accepted to TCOM Class of 2028.
Was there an experience that defined your time at HSC?
During my two years on campus, I have been involved in various leadership positions. The one that stands out is being an orientation leader for the medical science program. I chose to apply for this position to give back.
The orientation leaders I had during my time in the program gave the class advice on the program and helped us navigate the medical school application process. As an orientation leader, I hope that the advice that I have given has helped at least one person. Having individuals reach out with advice while I was starting the medical science program helped me a lot and I wanted to do the same for the current cohort.
Along with being an orientation leader, I was a student ambassador and teaching assistant where I have been able to continue to help direct people along their journey to professional school.
What advice do you have for current or future HSC students?
HSC is so much more than an academic institution. It really is a big community. The experience that you have while on campus is what you make it. There are various organizations to participate in and many different leadership opportunities to get involved in. Everyone on campus is friendly and always wants to help in whatever way they can. So don’t be afraid to join groups where you don’t know anyone, you most likely will come out with a new group of friends!
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