Reflections from the Class of 2025
The Class of 2025 graduates on Saturday, May 3, at E.J. Thomas Hall in Akron. The Pulse reached out to some graduating students to find out their inspirations, aspirations and lessons learned during their time at NEOMED. Thank you to Yeline (Yay) Cespedes (GS), Robert Douglass (M4), Kaitlyn Myk-Kish (P4), Sophia Santos (P4) and Michaela Stamper (M4) for sharing your thoughtful reflections!
What inspired your decision to become a health professional?
ROBERT: I chose to be a physician because my dad died. I was very unsatisfied with the care he received. Ever since, 10 years ago, I was determined to be the kindest, most competent physician I could be.
KAITLYN: My decision to become a pharmacist was inspired by my grandfather's transplant pharmacist. He had a double lung transplant in my second year of undergrad and the transplant pharmacist on his team was so empathetic, approachable and knowledgeable. I was motivated to provide the same level of care and comfort to patients and their families while they were experiencing health-related hardships.
SOPHIA: From a young age, I was drawn to the field of medicine because I have always wanted to help others. In college, I explored different areas of healthcare and eventually started working as a pharmacy technician. Being in that role sparked my curiosity about the medications I encountered every day and how they played a role in patient care. That experience inspired me to pursue pharmacy school, with the goal of becoming a pharmacist who can guide and support patients in understanding their medications and improving their health.
MICHAELA: I’ve always been someone who loves learning—who’s energized by new ideas, challenges and the process of growth. I knew I wanted to be in a field that would never stay still, one which would constantly evolve and push me to evolve with it. Medicine is exactly that. It asks you to keep learning not just for yourself, but so you can offer your patients the best care possible. As I moved through training, I realized I also wanted a specialty which matched that intellectual pace with deep human connection. Neurology, with its complexity and long-term relationships, felt like the perfect place to do meaningful, lifelong work.
What led you to NEOMED?
YAY: What stood out most was the tight-knit, family-like culture. The way the students supported one another through challenges and consistently showed up for each other confirmed that I made the right choice in choosing NEOMED.
ROBERT: NEOMED is known for having kind staff, mentors and producing kind physicians. That’s why I chose to enroll here. I wanted to be the someone I wish took care of my dad.
KAITLYN: I was a member of Kent State University's Pre-Pharmacy club while pursuing a bachelor's degree in chemistry when I found out about NEOMED's early assurance program, which was what led me to pursue an education at NEOMED. I was also interested by the high graduation and NAPLEX pass rates, and the emphasis on being a part of the community with programs like the Student Run Free Clinic.
SOPHIA: Growing up in Northeast Ohio, I was always familiar with NEOMED and looked up to the amazing healthcare professionals who trained here. It was always a school I dreamed of going to, and I saw it as a place that truly cared about both learning and community. Being able to study here has been really meaningful and has only confirmed that I was in the right place. I am so proud to be a part of this school, and even more excited to soon be an alum!
MICHAELA: NEOMED’s mission to serve underserved communities aligned perfectly with my own commitment to health equity. It also allowed me to stay rooted in the region where I completed both undergrad and grad school, continuing to serve a community I love—and where I’ll remain for residency at Cleveland Clinic. The Urban Health Pathway, global health experiences and leadership opportunities made it clear that NEOMED was a place where I could grow into the kind of physician I aspired to be.
How did NEOMED prepare you for the next steps in your career?
YAY: With its small class size and early clinical exposure, starting just one month into didactics, NEOMED gave me direct access to my program director and assistant program director, both respected leaders who inspired me to become a strong advocate for our profession.
ROBERT: Wonderfully. I made lifelong friends and matched into my favorite specialty. I was both pushed and encouraged all four years. I'm so happy for all the connections I made here.
KAITLYN: NEOMED prepared me with a strong clinical foundation, valuable patient care experiences and the confidence to work in interdisciplinary teams. These skills have equipped me well for my PGY-1 residency at Cleveland Clinic Akron General and for my continued growth as a pharmacist.
SOPHIA: NEOMED has provided me with a strong foundation not only in clinical knowledge, but also in patient-centered care, communication and professional growth. Through hands-on learning, supportive faculty and meaningful patient interactions, I have been able to develop the skills and confidence needed to step into the next phase of my career. The experiences and mentorship I have gained here have shaped me into a compassionate and capable healthcare professional, and I am excited for the journey ahead!
MICHAELA: More than anything, NEOMED helped me grow into the kind of person I want to be as a physician—someone who is both confident and humble. Through every stage of training, I was challenged to think critically, communicate clearly and trust in my abilities, even when I doubted myself. At the same time, I was reminded—often and meaningfully—how much I still had to learn. That balance shaped me. I’m heading into residency with a deep sense of responsibility, but also the self-awareness to keep asking questions, stay teachable and never lose sight of the human side of care. NEOMED didn’t just teach me medicine—it taught me how to carry myself through it.
What would you tell your first-year self – or your undergrad self – that you wish someone had told you?
YAY: Study hard and show up to clinicals a better future CAA than you were yesterday. Go above and beyond for your patients as if they were your family member. Commit to memory your drug card and carry it around everywhere you go. It’s okay to forget things, as long as you take the time to fill in your content gaps. Create a healthy sleeping schedule early on, otherwise you’ll always be playing catch-up. And most importantly, give yourself grace. You’re going to miss intubations, struggle with IVs and stumble over answers. That’s part of the learning process. Mistakes don’t mean you’re failing, they mean you’re trying. When things don’t go right, ask your preceptor what you can improve, adjust your technique and try again. Then do that 50 more times. That’s how growth happens. Practice makes perfect and perseverance is key. You’ve already come so far. You applied, interviewed, got accepted and now you’re here, doing the thing. I’m so proud of you, keep killing it!!
ROBERT: It's going to be OK, and this will all be worth it.
KAITLYN: Be more open to new experiences and opportunities.
SOPHIA: Whatever you perceive as your ceiling for success, challenge yourself to surpass it. True potential is often realized only when we step beyond the boundaries of our comfort zones. It is also important to remember where you started and appreciate the journey that brought you here. Though the path may not always be easy, every step, every challenge and every moment of progress has shaped you into who you are and the success you are capable of achieving. Keep pushing, keep believing in yourself, because you are truly capable of achieving anything you set your mind to!
MICHAELA: You won’t know everything—and you’re not supposed to. The best learning often starts in the moments when you admit that. I’d tell my M1 self that medicine isn’t just about answers or having it all figured out; it’s about how you sit with uncertainty, how you keep showing up, and how you grow through the hardest parts. I’d also tell her that there will be moments of real pain—like losing my mom during medical school—and they’ll shape you more than any textbook ever could. But even in the heartbreak, you’ll find a deeper strength, and a better understanding of what it means to care for people when they’re at their most vulnerable. In sum: you don’t have to have all the answers—just the willingness to learn and the heart to keep going. Some days will be heavy, and some will feel like a gift. You’ll learn to hold both. And with time, you’ll become the kind of doctor who is able to lead with both skill and empathy.