For Sabrina, a third-year medical student at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), medicine was always personal. Growing up in Austin, she spent years on the soccer field—until a series of knee injuries ended her athletic career but opened another door entirely. “If you meet me,” she laughed on The Med School Years podcast with Deana Golini and Carlos Tapia, “you’ll probably learn two things within five minutes: I’m from Austin, and I’ve had a lot of knee surgeries.”
Those surgeries were more than setbacks; they were turning points. They introduced her to orthopedic medicine, and over time, she realized she wanted to help others heal the same way her doctors had helped her.
Transitioning from student athlete to medical student wasn’t easy. “I came into med school blindsided,” Sabrina admitted. “I had no idea what all of this entailed.”
But at UTMB, she found an unexpected source of strength in community. “UTMB has some of the best student peer mentorship that I’ve ever seen,” she said. “Older students would tutor us weekly, walk us through questions, and honestly—it made all the difference. The transition was still hard, but I never felt like I was going through it alone.”
When asked what she found most challenging about medical school, Sabrina didn’t hesitate: “It’s the pressure. It’s not just the academics—it’s this self-imposed pressure to do well, to stand out, to be perfect. You’re suddenly responsible for real people. It’s no longer hypothetical.”
Her honesty captures what many medical students quietly feel but rarely say aloud. The expectations can be overwhelming—but support and mentorship can make the difference between burnout and breakthrough.
For students beginning that journey, Residency Essay Editing and Residency Mock Interviews can help clarify what makes your path meaningful, even when it doesn’t feel perfect.
Sabrina’s interest in orthopedics came with another challenge: entering a field where women are still the minority. “Around eighty percent of orthopedic surgeons are men,” she said. “You walk into an OR and realize—you might be the only woman in the room.”
At five-foot-two, she’s often underestimated. “People mean well,” she said, “but I’ve had residents tell me, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll hold the leg,’ as if I couldn’t do it myself.” She laughed. “I can hold the leg. In fact, I will hold the leg.”
Her mantra, “I can lift a leg,” became both a literal and symbolic statement of defiance—a reminder that physical strength and mental resilience aren’t mutually exclusive. “As women, we face challenges that others might never see,” she reflected. “But perseverance is key. You just keep your chin down and work hard.”
For anyone preparing to present their best self in competitive specialties, a 1:1 Residency Advising Session with Carlos Tapia can help strategize how to turn these personal strengths into compelling stories.
Sabrina’s love for sports didn’t end when she hung up her cleats. Instead, she turned it into purpose-driven research—combining her background as an athlete with her medical training. “I’ve never been a fan of basic science research,” she said. “So I decided if I have to do it, I’m going to do something I enjoy.”
Her projects explore topics like Tommy John surgeries in college pitchers and the connection between hormones and rotator cuff injuries in women. “If you’re passionate about something,” she said, “you’ll naturally put out better work. I’d rather do research I care about than just chase numbers.”
That passion-driven approach to research isn’t just more fulfilling—it’s the kind of authentic story residency programs remember.
Now on her final rotations and preparing for Step 2, Sabrina knows the next phase will test her endurance. “Third year was a physical grind,” she said. “Step 2 and away rotations are going to be a mental grind.”
Her upcoming away rotation at NYU will be her first major move from Galveston’s island pace to Manhattan’s intensity. “It’s like a mini-interview every day for five months,” she laughed. “You have to be your best self constantly—but I’m ready. I know I’m strong enough to do this.”
When asked what advice she’d give to premeds and fellow med students, Sabrina’s voice softened. “No matter what you’re going through—don’t lose your humanity,” she said. “It’s so easy to forget the human part of you that made you want to do this in the first place.”
She paused before adding, “It’s okay to take a step back when things get hard. Reflect, remember why you started, and give yourself grace. It’s not all going to be linear, but it’s all going to be worth it.”
Her words remind us that strength in medicine isn’t about perfection—it’s about perseverance, compassion, and remembering your why.
“No matter where you are—premed, med school, or residency—don’t lose your humanity. Take a step back when things are hard. Be there for people. Remember why you did this in the first place.”
Inspired by Sabrina’s story?
Stay grounded on your own path to residency with Residency Essay Editing, Residency Mock Interviews, or a 1:1 Residency Advising Session with Carlos Tapia.
Because sometimes, proving you can lift the leg means proving you can lift yourself, too.
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