Holly Gordon

Hometown: Rootstown, OH

Undergraduate Institution: Kent State University

Why did you pursue podiatric medicine?
I was inspired to pursue a career in podiatric medicine at a young age when I had surgery on both of my feet. The physicians and surgeons working on my case sparked my interest in the field, and since then I knew I wanted to become a DPM. I also have an extreme love for shoes, so what better way than to incorporate that into my career!

Why did you choose KSUCPM?
Growing up in Northeast Ohio, I would often drive passed the school and dream of one day being a student there. When I attended Kent State in undergrad, I fell in love with the atmosphere that main campus offered. I knew I wanted to continue my education as a Golden Flash, and never looked back!

Favorite aspect of Kent State now that you are a student here?
KSUCPM makes us feel truly at home. All of the faculty and staff want to see the students succeed. There are plenty of resources and upperclassmen you can reach out to at any time.

What advice do you have for anyone considering podiatry school?
Absolutely go for it! It can be intimidating at first, but we are all here to help each other! Podiatry is so special in many ways, and there are so many specialties within the practice that you will find your perfect fit! I am so happy that I chose podiatry, and if you are interested in a career in this field, I encourage you to shadow physicians or talk to the students and hear more of what it’s all about.

Have you begun to prepare Boards yet?  If so, what are you doing in terms of preparation? 
As you’ll hear from many medical students, Anki is one of the best study tools you will come across! I like to make my own flashcards and keep them organized by class so I can go back to them when the time comes to study for boards. Although I am a first year, boards are coming quickly and it is never too early to start compiling resources and come up with a study plan.

How do you strike a balance between class work, studying, and social activities?
It can be difficult at first to find a perfect balance between all of these things, but it is certainly doable! I find that making a weekly or daily schedule has been one of the most helpful strategies for me. I like to try and get my studying done during the day so I can enjoy the evenings and weekends and do whatever I want! 

Any suggestions for prospective students on building/ maintaining a balance?
I find it helpful to think of medical school like a full-time job. If you don’t finish your work during the scheduled workday, you have to stay and work late or catch up on the weekends. Getting your work and studying done during the day allows you to have a set time to relax and hang out with friends, significant others, or participate in campus activities! 

What one word describes you best?
Passionate

What are some activities you are involved in at KSUCPM?
I am part of the KSUCPM Ambassadors, and I also really enjoy going to different events that clubs will offer on campus. One of my favorites so far has been suturing workshops where we learned different suturing techniques! I also really enjoy the different sports tournaments we do when the weather is nice. 

As a first-year student, what are some of the challenges you faced (if any) while transitioning into medical school?
At first, I found it very difficult to find strong study techniques and figure out how to actively study the material and really learn it, rather than just memorizing it for an exam. It can be difficult to find what works best for you, and sometimes it takes some trial and error. But there are many educational resources and tutoring available every day!

What one word describes KSUCPM?
Home

What advice would you offer to any prospective students wishing to attend KSUCPM who are in the current application process?
The application process can be incredibly stressful with the MCAT, compiling letters of rec, transcripts, and everything else that is needed for your application. Take time to slow down and take a deep breath, there is so much excitement to look forward to! Kent State is an amazing college, and you will be sure to find your perfect fit here.

Most challenging course and why? 
Anatomy -for sure. The material isn’t the most difficult you will face, but there is a lot of content to learn for the exams. At times it feels like you’re trying to drink water from a fire hose!
 

Favorites
Movie: Shall We Dance
Song :December, 1963 by Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons
Starbucks Drink: White mocha shaken espresso
Book: Rohen’s Color Atlas of Anatomy 
Season: Fall
Cleveland Activity: Riding electric scooters downtown or hiking on the local trails with my dog!
KSUCPM Class: Staying Alive
TV Show: Breaking Bad
Restaurant: The Rail