Nicole Baker (BA ’14, French; BS ’14, Biomedical Sciences) transferred to WMU during her sophomore year to study biomedical sciences and French. “I loved the idea of being able to pursue my two separate degrees simultaneously for nearly the same cost of one degree at my previous school.” One day, Baker hopes to combine her passions to practice medicine abroad, in places where quality healthcare is lacking.
Alan Hifko (BS ’12, Biochemistry) came to WMU for his undergraduate degree after serving in the Air Force. “I wanted to return to Michigan to be closer to my family and WMU is known for their excellent veteran programs. It was a great way to transition back to civilian life. Originally I intended to pursue a degree in physics but after my first semester I really enjoyed my chemistry and biology classes and realized, because the courses are offered more often, that I could finish much faster by switching to biochemistry.”
Andrew Selles (BS ’12, Biomedical Sciences) arrived at WMU as an undeclared major and graduated with a degree in Biomedical Sciences. “Western Michigan University was a very practical choice of college for me. I am from Kalamazoo initially, so the location of Western was a huge advantage. The cost of attendance was also reasonable.”
For Baker, becoming a doctor was something she’d always known she wanted to do, but for Hifko and Selles, the decision was made after the realization that biology and chemistry were interesting and enjoyable subjects.
“I never had an ah-hah moment that solidified my decision to apply to med school,” Hifko said. “Instead I decided over a long period of time that I really enjoy science and wanted to have a career that had a lot of personal interaction. Western helped shape that decision for me by having excellent faculty in the biology and chemistry department that are passionate about their subjects.”
While the decision to pursue medicine may have differed for the three, the decision to attend the school was more unanimous.
“I chose WMed in large part because I am a Bronco and I’m so excited to be a part of the inaugural class,” Baker said. “I did apply to other schools, but the curriculum and goals presented by WMed at my interview really won me over. The idea that as a new medical school we can take the best from other schools in the nation and make them our own really appealed to me.”
“I did apply to several schools but I wanted to stay in state and the opportunity to be the inaugural class was something I couldn’t pass up,” Hifko explained. “I believe that the experience and input we have here at WMed is something unique that no other school could offer.”
While being a part of the first class is certainly a privilege, it also means setting a standard for future classes.
“It is a strange feeling, equal parts excitement and terror,” said Selles. “On the one hand, there are no classes ahead of you, so you are not really sure where you are headed… But at the same time, being in the first class of somewhere really makes you feel important, and you get the feeling that you are setting the precedent for many future classes of medical students.”
Hifko added, “The privilege to represent Western Michigan and to help create a legacy was a huge factor in my decision to come here.”
Baker agreed that being first is a privilege, “Being a WMU alumna in the class is even better. I have been a part of the community for four years already as a student, so I’ve been able to give a little insight into Kalamazoo to my classmates. I really feel like Kalamazoo is my home now, so it’s been a great experience getting into the clinics, volunteering at the schools, and just overall becoming more integrated into the community. And, of course, I’m so proud of WMU for taking this step into medical education and humbled that I get to be a pioneering part of it.”
“Our medical school here is unique not just because of the cutting edge curriculum and amazing connections with Borgess and Bronson,” Hifko pointed out, “But also because of the community support that we receive. Anywhere we go in Kalamazoo there are always people interested in talking about the new school and the first class. We have such an outpouring of support and I think that will be what makes this school amazing.”
To learn more about Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, please visit med.wmich.edu.
Pictured in the image above are Andrew Selles, Nicole Baker, and Alan Hifko.