Alexandra Grudzinski, Current MD Candidate
BU Major & Graduation Date:
Biology–Specialization in Cellular Biology, Molecular Biology and Genetics. Minor: Public Health (May 2023)
Current School and Year:
Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University, MD Program, MS1
Preferred Pronouns:
she/her
Hometown:
Toronto, Canada
What school are you attending and what you are studying?
I am attending the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University, in Hamilton, Ontario. I chose to apply to McMaster because it is a top school for clinical medicine and it is close to where my family lives. I have always enjoyed medical education research, for which McMaster is at the forefront of, as they pioneered an innovative problem-based-learning (PBL) curriculum that is built around case-based study and student collaboration. There is an opportunity for early clinical exposure, to get involved in research and a strong support system for student wellness at McMaster. The program is also unique as it is accelerated and spans three continuous years, as opposed to a traditional four-year medical program.
Is there a specialization and/or specific population you are interested in?
As I am still in my first year, I am keeping an open-mind about what to specialize in. I have always had an affinity for Internal Medicine, as I appreciate maintaining a broad knowledge-base but also having the opportunity to sub-specialize after residency. I enjoy learning about the pathophysiology of different disorders and building a differential diagnosis. I am interested in possibly being able to perform minor procedures, while also having an opportunity to create unique treatment plans tailored to each patient, and form longitudinal patient relationships. In addition to Internal Medicine, I am also looking forward to shadowing opportunities in Anesthesia and OBGYN.
What are one or two of your favorite experiences/activities at BU and why?
I was a volunteer at Tufts Medical Center for two years (Junior and Senior year), which I really enjoyed. The first year I volunteered in the pediatric wing, where I interacted with patients with complex physical disorders and mental health conditions. I appreciated the opportunity to comfort newborns, play games with toddlers, and converse with teenagers. The second year I volunteered on the Medical Surgery, Cardiomyopathy and General Inpatient floors, where I spoke with/provided company to various patients and delivered activities. I enjoyed hearing from patients about their experiences and their unique life stories.
Another favourite BU experience was being a Learning Assistant (LA) for Intensive General Quantitative Analytical Chemistry (CH109 & CH110) lab class during my Sophomore year. This experience taught me that I really love teaching, mentorship and learning how to support students with various learning styles. I am now conducting medical education research projects and am one of the co-chairs of the Medical Education Interest Group at McMaster Med. I hope to incorporate some form of medical teaching into my future career as a physician.
Did you take a gap year?
Yes, I took one gap year after graduating from BU in May 2023. I worked as a full-time Research Assistant in the Hematology-Oncology Research Group (HOCRG) at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto (I was also a research student in this group during my undergrad). I loved my time in the HOCRG, as the group is very supportive and I was able to get involved in many projects, from medical education, hematological disorders and equitable cancer care studies. I am now continuing to conduct research with them on a volunteer-basis during medical school.
In addition to working in the HOCRG, I volunteered as a Family Services Support Volunteer with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Toronto (affiliated with SickKids Hospital), where I assisted families with sick children who had chosen to stay at the House. Furthermore, I volunteered with Canadian Blood Services at blood donation clinics in Toronto, and baked cookies/made sandwiches once per month for individuals experiencing poverty, homelessness and addiction, through the Ve’ahavta humanitarian organization.
What was your favorite BU course and why?
I enjoyed many courses I took at BU, but one of my favourite major courses was Cell Biology with Dr. Beffert, as I enjoyed learning about transcription/translation, metabolism and homeostasis. I also very much enjoyed Dr. Beffert’s office hours and felt as if his course set me up very well for my advanced biology electives (i.e., Molecular Biology Lab and Carcinogenesis – both of which I also really enjoyed).
In terms of my Public Health minor, my favourite course was the Organization & Delivery of Health Care in the U.S. with Professor Pesanelli. It was incredibly relevant to my future as a medical student, as I got to learn more about the social, environmental and behavioural factors that affect healthcare. I also learned about different healthcare insurance policies and how the U.S. healthcare system compares to other healthcare systems around the world.
Were you involved in any clubs/groups at BU?
I was a member of Alpha Phi Omega (APO), BU’s gender-inclusive community service fraternity for two years, and was Co-Membership Vice President (Co-MVP) for my Senior spring semester. I enjoyed participating in community service events throughout Boston (for example, with the Boston Celtics, at community food banks and Esplanade clean-ups), and getting to know students of different ages and studies through fellowship events. Furthermore, many of my friends and roommates were also in APO. In terms of being Co-MVP, I enjoyed promoting member involvement via weekly member spotlights, and creating and running professional development workshops.
I was also a Biology Peer Mentor at BU and am now currently a HealthPath Mentor for pre-med students at BU. I have always valued mentorship and the opportunity to ask questions to students who have already been through the experience. My three mentees had unique backgrounds and diverse interests, so I listened to their needs and strove to recommend what I believed would most benefit them. I am currently doing the same for my two HealthPath mentees.
Have you always known you wanted to be a doctor?
For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a doctor. My paternal grandparents immigrated from Poland to Canada after being evicted from their homes during WWII, having lived in refugee camps for over 10 years. Determined to build a better life for their family, my grandma eventually obtained a nursing degree. I grew up listening to her stories from being in the emergency room, which were my first exposures to medicine and human suffering. Thus, my grandma is the one who initially inspired me to pursue a career in the medical field.
Over time, I realized that being a doctor was a great interplay of all my key career interests – I enjoy research, teaching, mentoring, working as a team and with patients, and the value of lifelong learning – all of which medicine has to offer. In my Junior year, one of my close family members experienced a health crisis that involved many medical specialties. While challenging, the experience only further motivated me to become a physician, as I want to be able to provide the same level of high quality care to future patients.
What resources at BU did you find most helpful or want to spotlight that others might not know about?
I found the ERC Peer Tutoring program incredibly helpful during my Freshman year. I was surprised the program was not more popular at the time, as I appreciated the opportunity to sit down one-on-one once a week with an older student and work through General Chemistry problems. This free resource was truly helpful as I was trying to get used to BU’s curriculum/my STEM degree.
I also in general was a big fan of office hours. I would attend them very frequently for all four years, as they were a great way to meet my professors/teaching assistants, get to know other students in my classes and brush-up on course material.
What are your hobbies/What do you like to do for fun outside of the classroom?
Outside of the classroom, I have many hobbies. Growing up I played hockey and golf, which I still do recreationally (including now teaching kids to skate on Saturday mornings). I also enjoy baking, reading, going on walks and trying new coffee shops and different restaurants. In undergrad, one of my best friends and I ran a coffee shop recommendation account where we went and explored different cafes in Boston and Toronto for a couple of years.
Are there any tips/advice you would like to share with current pre-health students?
The first piece of advice would be to choose to be involved in activities that interest you. Although it can sometimes feel like there is pressure to add many extracurriculars to your resume, I was always very intentional about picking activities that truly aligned with my goals. This made essay writing and interview preparation for medical school a much more comfortable process, as I was truly able to speak with enthusiasm about what was on my application. The second piece of advice would be to have confidence in yourself and your application, and to take time to relax and spend time with friends/family when possible.