Elizabeth Wakefield '09

The Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine
Independence, OH
Major at Wooster: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Wooster helped shape me into a well-rounded student who has experience in more than just science. Having learned and employed critical thinking skills, effective writing strategies, and involvement in research projects (not just I.S.!) for course work at Wooster are all essential skills that the medical field requires once out of the classroom and into clinical settings. Additionally, my Wooster education taught me effective time management for balancing school and social/other priorities. I learned at Wooster that being in a classroom for a lecture is not the only way to learn; in fact, sometimes more learning occurred in a hands-on lab, discussion with faculty or students on our own time, and the value of networking. Having participated in Wooster’s Independent Study was truly significant towards choosing and deciding that medicine was the field for me. I was able to network with physicians at the Cleveland Clinic one of whom I worked with to design a study for my thesis. During my senior year, I had to manage my time between being on campus at Wooster participating in my course work and spending time at the Cleveland Clinic working with patients and running my study. My immediate future plans include finishing medical school and graduating in May of 2013. I hope to get a three-year surgical residency in the Cleveland area, followed by either joining an existing private practice or opening my own practice and working as a podiatrist.