UNC Neurology celebrated graduation this Spring with two UNC system medical students, Dr. Maria Melendez and Dr. Aiden Walker. Both Drs. Melendez and Walker participated in Neurology’s medical student rotation program, directed by Dr. Mike Wang.
Dr. Melendez described her journey to neurology as an overwhelming positive experience while stressing the importance of great mentorship. Dr. Melendez was always drawn to the brain and brain science, so when she began her clinical rotations at UNC Wilmington Campus it did not take long before she found a passion for neurology.
“Neurology can be a very daunting field. Neurologists are incredibly smart, and the work can be very scary if you’ve never been exposed to it before. However, if you have any interest in Neurology, it is a powerful experience to help people with their neurological challenges. All medicine can be a powerful tool but, for me, Neurology allows me to develop close and meaningful relationships with the patients I am actively helping.”
Dr. Melendez was set up for success at the UNC School of Medicine Wilmington Campus. Required to complete a weeklong Neurology rotation in her 3rd year, Melendez’s confidence grew under the mentorship of Dr. McKinney, and she decided to make Neurology the focus of her 4th year of medical school. Dr. Melendez rotation at UNC-CH comprised of a 3-week rotation on consults and 1-week ration in general in-patient neurology. At UNC-CH, she found everyone welcoming and eager to assist her throughout her rotation. She had the option to choose her rotation focus and received hands-on mentorship from UNC-CH faculty.
Dr. Melendez has now completed her MD and will be joining the University of Pennsylvania Neurology this summer as a Neurology resident. She attributes her success to the great mentors she had along the way and the experience she acquired in consults and in her rotations.
Dr. Aiden Walker, who also completed his Neurology medical student rotation at UNC-CH this Spring, will be staying with UNC-CH Neurology as a Pediatric Resident.
The UNC Neurology medical student rotation program is always looking to engage more interested medical students in Neurology. If you have any interest, please contact either Dr. Mike Wang, Dr. Ana Felix, or Dr. Tamara Strohm.