Nicolas Westerhoff, Current DO Candidate
BU Major & Graduation Date:
Health Science, May 2021
Current School and Year:
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine – Montana Campus – OMS1
Preferred Pronouns:
He/Him
Hometown:
Southampton, New York
What school are you attending and what you are studying?
I am currently attending Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, specifically at the Great Falls, Montana Campus. I originally applied to Touro because of their commitment to diversifying the medical community and graduating some of the highest numbers of URM doctors in the US, and being the son of a Brazilian immigrant it kind of made sense to apply and attend. I think being at the Montana Campus really provides a unique experience since a majority of Montana is underserved when it comes to medicine. Although many may think it will qualify as rural medicine, it really is frontier medicine where residents may need to travel hours for healthcare, and I am glad to be at a school that aims to serve those populations. Additionally, the Montana campus is unique in that we have our own research institution for those who want to be part of an MSTP program or just do stand-alone research, something that is not as easily available at some DO schools.
Is there a specialization and/or specific population you are interested in?
I am interested in pursuing pediatrics, hopefully in the primary care sector with maybe a fellowship in infectious disease or sports medicine. I have always wanted to be a pediatrician because if children have a good foundation for health at a young age, it can really make a difference in their quality of life as they mature. I also just love the idea of seeing someone grow up and being there for them in their different life stages. My interest in ID and sports medicine come from my work experience in which I worked as a research assistant for an ID doctor and worked as a MA for a sports medicine podiatrist.
What are one or two of your favorite experiences/activities and why?
One of my favorite experiences of my pre-medical journey was always patient interactions and seeing a patient multiple times on their healing journey. There is just something so unique about seeing a patient be thankful for the care they receive and the bond they develop with their provider, and that is the environment I hope to foster with my patients in the future.
Did you take gap years?
I did take a few gap years; I think 3 total. After graduating with my bachelors, I actually attended BU’s Master’s in Medical Science program at the medical school just to better prepare myself for the rigor of medical school. I also was a research assistant at Weill Cornell Medicine with the infectious disease department, specifically for the NCI CASCADE Program (a program aimed to increase cervical cancer screenings among women living with HIV) – I also used this research to write my master’s thesis. Additionally, I was working as a medical assistant at an urgent care and a podiatrist office for some more clinical exposure.
What was your favorite BU course and why?
I feel like I have a few favorite courses at BU. Child Health Programs with Professor Lauer, Intro to Global Health with Professor Eldred (who sadly is no longer at BU), and every class I took with Celia in the Portuguese department. These were my favorite classes not just because of the content which relate with what I hope to do in the future but also because they are some of the best professors that I have had. They all cared about how you were doing and wanted you to do well and really understand the material, something I really appreciated.
Were you involved in any clubs/groups at BU?
At BU I was a member of Alpha Phi Omega and a Sargent College Dean’s Host. APO is one of the only co-ed community service fraternity and I really loved getting to give back to the Greater Boston community. During my time in APO, I held two e-board positions, treasurer and pledgemaster, and it was such a formative experience that allowed me to develop and enhance my leadership skills. As a Dean’s host I was on student panels was readily available to provide potential BU students with answers on BU student life.
Have you always known you wanted to be a doctor? What/who has been your biggest inspiration?
I have always wanted to be a doctor, specifically a pediatrician. I really think having such a great relationship with my pediatrician growing up is what inspired me to follow that path. I will also say my parents have inspired me by allowing me to follow that dream and just showed me that in order to achieve your goals, you have to work hard.
What resources at BU did you find most helpful or want to spotlight that others might not know about?
I think one of the resources I used the most at BU was the ERC for tutoring when I needed it. It was great to have tutors readily available when I needed help. I will also say your academic advisor can be a great resource. I was lucky where I had an advisor that really helped me plan things out and wanted to see me succeed, so I would recommend getting to know your advisor as they are there for a reason. And don’t forget to utilize the pre-med advising office! They are super helpful and really helpful, and they do want you to succeed – take advantage of that!
What are your hobbies/What do you like to do for fun outside of the classroom?
I will say being in Montana has led me to have more of an outdoorsy and active lifestyle. If I am not studying my friends and I try to head to one of the national parks nearby ( we are lucky enough where both Glacier and Yellowstone are about 4 hours away from where we are) . Or if I can, I will play tennis – although I’m not the best, it is still one of my favorite sports. I am also very excited for the winter as there are a few mountains for skiing nearby.
Are there any tips/advice you would like to share with current pre-health students?
There is no such thing as a perfect pre-med student and it is okay to not be perfect in every class. Do the best you can and enjoy your college experience while you can. Also, don’t be afraid of going DO, I know there is some stigma around the subject but in the end, you will be a doctor, and you will have worked just as hard as your peers in allopathic medical schools. Just aim to be the best applicant you can be and be proud if you get into any school – it is still a huge accomplishment.