Reflecting on a year of challenges, learning and growth

(Rising M2 Mitchell Bailey originally shared this reflection on LinkedIn. It is shared here with permission.)

Last month, I wrapped up my first year of medical school, a year full of challenges, learning and growth. Alongside this academic journey, I had the privilege of leading the NEOvations Bench to Bedside program for the first time.

Taking on this leadership role pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I learned how to build connections across institutions and engage with professionals from Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), The University of Akron, Kent State University, University of Utah, University of Hawaii at Manoa, among others. 2025 was NEOvations Bench to Bedside's most successful year yet, with 103 participants and 31 teams, setting new records for the program. None of this would have been possible without the guidance of Fayez Safadi, Ph.D., and John Langell, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., FACS, and the support of Alex Powell, Jalal Jwayyed, and Abigail Schwenk.

My vision for NEOvations Bench to Bedside was to expand our reach and strengthen our presence. This year, we launched new efforts on LinkedIn and Instagram, developed promotional videos, and cultivated partnerships with local universities. These initiatives not only boosted program visibility but also taught me valuable lessons in networking, collaboration and strategic communication.

This experience has helped shape me into a more well-rounded professional and will undoubtedly contribute to my growth as a future physician—one who understands innovation, teamwork and patient-centered thinking beyond the clinic.

Looking ahead, I hope to see NEOvations Bench to Bedside continue to grow, not just in size, but in impact. I would love to see more teams file patents, bring their innovations to market, and create real change in healthcare delivery.

At the end of the day, it is all about the patients. They are my "Why."