Testimonials
Imo Akpan, M.D.
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Graduating Class of 2009
Residency: Yale- New Haven Hospital -- Internal Medicine
Undergraduate Degree: B.A., Biology, University of Pennsylvania
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
I found Penn Med to be the ideal choice for my medical education, because I was impressed with the school's commitment to minority permanence and mentoring activities. During Penn Preview- Second Look Weekend for accepted applicants, I had the chance to learn about Dr. Helen O. Dickens. She was the first associate dean for minority affairs in the country, thus making Penn Med the first to have such an administrator and office dedicated to diversity. Dr. Dickens was subsequently responsible for the recruitment and retention of students from groups underrepresented in the medical profession. She also devoted her career to the underserved even before coming to Penn Med. She introduced the Pap Smear in the early 1950's to physicians whose patients were Black women. Once at Penn, Dr. Dickens established one of the first clinics in the nation for teenage mothers. Her encouragement and mentorship of minorities is Penn’s legacy.
I intend to follow in Dr. Dickens' footsteps. As a first year student, I taught inner-city high school students participating in Penn Med's Educational Pipeline Program. They learned about strokes and other neurological problems prevalent among the underserved. I also had the opportunity to tutor first and second grade students at a neighborhood elementary school. For Penn Med students, I was an Academic Co-Chair for Student National Medical Association and helped orchestrate Anatomy "Tag Parties," practice practical exams for first year students. I also played the role of an ambassador to medical education by offering premed students opportunities to attend classes with me and answering their questions about medical school preparation and application.
I enjoyed reaching out to others and mentoring because so many reached out to me during my journey through medical school. Dr. Dickens and many others continue to impact my life in different ways. I hope that you, too, will come to Penn Med and continue her tradition of service.
Ernesto Gonzalez, M.D.
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Graduating Class of 2009
Residency: Harvard- Cambridge Health Alliance -- Psychiatry
Undergraduate Degree: B.S., Biology, Yale University
Hometown: Newark, New Jersey
So, why did I choose Penn for med school? My friends told me Philly would be a great place for me to call home -- a big, culturally diverse place like New York City that was laidback enough so that I wouldn’t feel stressed. Great school in a great city, cheese steaks and water ice... what’s not to like? So, aside from the cheese steaks and water ice, what made Penn so special?
Well, simply stated, it was the people and their eagerness to make a contribution to the school and community. A group of us worked with a Penn doctor to establish a clinic in South Philly, and he invited us to a cookout to have a few burgers, drink some suds, and brainstorm for new ideas. At one point during the cookout, he was asked why he’d been at Penn for so long, and he gave an answer that I sum up as follows. "Penn is a place where if you have a good idea, good intentions, and the dedication to carry that idea forward, people will respect you, they will help you, and you can make a big difference." What can I say? He was right.
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Graduating Class of 2008
Residency: Baylor College of Medicine -- Ophthalmology
Undergraduate: B.S. University of Houston
Hometown: Houston, TX
During my time at Penn, I found it fascinating and humbling to learn medicine from such highly acclaimed physicians and scientists alongside some of the brightest students in the country. Penn’s unique curriculum allowed me efficiently to learn medicine, participate in the Student National Medical Association, conduct and publish research, and be a husband and father all at once. During my 2nd year, my daughter Jaclyn was born while I was on my internal medicine rotation. The flexibility of the curriculum allowed my wife (who was also a Penn medical student) and me to easily coordinate our schedules to maximize both our family lives and our education. Our experience at Penn Med culminated into us both matching into our 1st choices in the residency.
I always knew Penn was a great place to learn medicine, but I didn’t really begin to appreciate this until after I graduated. I think what sets Penn apart is the progressive philosophy and approach to education. In addition to traditional topics, all students receive valuable courses in the art of “doctoring”, issues that affect the health of the community, and healthcare policy. As a resident working long hours, I now find that what helps me the most day to day is not the detailed medical information learned after hours and hours of studying. Instead, it’s the skills I learned in these courses that allow me to effectively navigate the various doctor-patient, doctor-nurse, and doctor-doctor relationship issues that pop-up daily. For these reasons, I am extremely grateful to be a part of the Penn Med community, and I hope that you will highly consider joining our family!