Program in Liberal Medical Education

The interdisciplinary nature of Brown reaches a whole new level in the PLME program, and I was instantly drawn to how the Deans and students encouraged us to branch out of the typical premed blueprint and explore all Brown has to offer. As a passionate writer and reader, I knew the PLME would support all of my English endeavors, while still providing me with ample medical enrichment opportunities. I also knew that PLME would give me the opportunity to integrate athletics into what is otherwise a very difficult lifestyle, and I couldn’t be happier that all of the pieces fell into place. PLME also has such an attractive alumni network and I cannot describe how rich and supportive they have been to me throughout my undergraduate experience— whether it's chatting with me at reunion weekend, mentoring my Summer Research Assistantship (SRA) projects, or connecting me with colleagues at different institutions, I’ve learned that PLME is so much more than an 8 year experience!

PLME’s emphasis on liberal education allows me to pursue so many of my passions outside of sciences— as an English/Nonfiction concentrator, I have spent hours within the English department, cultivating pieces of work to submit to the university English Prizes as well as writing my own novel and children’s book (coming soon!). I also get to collaborate with writers, designers, and illustrators every week to run Brown’s creative nonfiction journal, Sole Magazine. My work in English will culminate this year with a nonfiction thesis, and I could not be more grateful that PLME has given me the opportunity to flex my creative muscles every day. I’m hoping to continue writing well into my medical career, and I've met many physician authors through PLME’s alumni network. Additionally, I’ve always been passionate about mental health awareness and suicide prevention, and through the PLME, I’ve interacted with incredible mentors who have pushed my passion into product— combining this with my love for writing, I’ve published editorials and papers surrounding physician wellbeing and suicide risk, and am currently wrapping up another wellness project as part of my SRA!

As a first-year student, I was a representative on the PLME Senate and immediately became involved in community engagement within the program. I was instantly taken in by upperclassmen, shown the ropes, and began planning events, socials, and medical enrichment for my fellow peers. Fast forward three years and I am proud to be president! The Senate has been my number one avenue for community within the PLME, and whether it be interacting with prospective students at our ADOCH meet-and-greets, getting ultra-competitive at PLME Wars, suturing bananas in our surgery workshops, or dancing the night away at PLME Formal, my involvement in the PLME Senate has not only brought me closer to my classmates but has integrated me into the entire PLME undergraduate community. I have found my best friends through the events and programming we coordinate, and have even found immense support from our admins and faculty as a result of my leadership. Beyond PLME, my golf team has become my forever family, and I’m extremely grateful for Brown Athletics.

Throughout your time in the program, PLME students will be your biggest advocates, your heartiest cheerleaders, and your best friends. It’s hard to describe to someone what the camaraderie looks like within this program until you live it for yourself— not only are you navigating the initial adjustments of college together, but they are your partners through difficult STEM classes, robust club applications, early medical school anxieties, and eventually medical school and beyond. Whether it’s grabbing each other coffee for finals study sessions, nominating each other for leadership positions, or just spending long hours discussing specialty choices and other interests, the bonds forged with your PLME peers can become everlasting, and there’s a huge comfort in knowing that these people are going to stick by you for nearly a decade (and maybe even longer!). As a senior, I’m becoming increasingly aware of how special it is to know so many well-rounded, like-minded people who are as passionate about medicine and the humanities as I am, and grateful that I will already have a supportive network heading into medical school. We’ve already been through so much together, and I can’t wait to matriculate by their side!