Anne | Neuroscience
Biography
Annie finds great fulfillment in sharing knowledge, whether as a teaching assistant for the Hispanic Studies Department, an instructor at The Wheeler School, or a tutor for local families and fellow PLME students. She conducts research in the neurosurgery department, investigating the molecular profile of chordoma and performing neurophysiology experiments in epilepsy patients to explore the mechanisms of cognition and neurological disease. As the PLME institutional lead for the Medical Humanities Initiative, she is passionate about prioritizing the intersections between the humanities and medicine in medical education. She’s also a member of the PLME Run Club and loves exploring the Providence food scene!
The flexibility of the Open Curriculum, combined with the broader nature of our PLME requirements compared to the traditional pre-med path, allows us to make our studies truly our own. I'm double-concentrating in Neuroscience and Hispanic Studies, and have the opportunity to study abroad in Barcelona next semester without the pressure to fulfill any science-related requirements. I will take literature, sociology, and art history classes at local universities entirely in Spanish, an immersive and intellectually challenging experience that will broaden my cultural perspective, sharpen my language skills, and ultimately help me connect with future Spanish-speaking patients.
Last semester, I took a small, discussion-based seminar called Walden and Woodstock: The American Lives of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Bob Dylan, taught by Professor Kenneth Sacks. I’m a huge Bob Dylan fan and was familiar with some of Emerson’s work, so I was immediately intrigued but initially unsure how the two were connected. Each week centered on a different theme relevant to both figures’ lives and legacies, and it was extremely rewarding to trace connections between them while applying their work to broader questions of artistry, celebrity culture, and political responsibility. I left the class with greater confidence in my ability to incorporate diverse forms of media in my writing and a deeper appreciation for Dylan’s music– I’m hoping to see him in concert soon!
During our Whole Patient dinners, a physician and their patient share an open conversation about their relationship, highlighting the importance of non-clinical dimensions of care. Even in complex cases where diagnosis or treatment proved difficult, the most powerful aspects of care often stemmed from a physician’s ability to listen with empathy, acknowledge the patient’s concerns, and develop a care plan tailored to their values and ways of life. Hearing directly from patients about how their physicians built trust and enhanced their experience is a powerful reminder that the humanistic side of medicine is what truly defines the doctor-patient relationship.
On mornings when I don’t have class, I like to grab breakfast and coffee at the Blue Room before heading upstairs to the Leung Family Gallery, a quiet study spot with huge windows overlooking the main green. Once the weather starts to warm up in the spring, I love watching the green gradually fill with people, and I usually don’t get much work done before joining my friends outside.
I wouldn’t say it’s been a surprise, but I’m constantly grateful for how incredible the PLME community is. From day one, our advising team has been deeply invested in getting to know us and serves as a constant source of guidance and support. Our students are incredibly driven and kind, and I’ve met some of my closest friends in the program. While we take many of our pre-med classes together, I’m always excited to hear how unique our journeys have been, how varied our passions are, and how eager we are to share these experiences with one another. Knowing that I’ll be studying alongside such an amazing group for eight years makes the future even more exciting.