Medical school is not usually thought of as a romantic place where one is likely to meet his or her match, but that’s exactly what happened to Ross alumni Tracey Dabal, MD, and Blaise Carney, MD. “Blaise and I met briefly during orientation week but we really go to know each other sitting together in lecture,” said Dr. Dabal. They experienced life on campus in Dominica, completed their clinical rotations in the US, and both graduated with MD degrees in November 2016. Now, having succeeded in the Couple’s Match, they will soon start residencies at the University of Tennessee in Memphis, he in psychiatry, and she in internal medicine.
Dr. Dabal did her undergraduate studies at Montclair State University in her home state of NJ, graduating Magna cum Laude with a degree in biochemistry. “While medical school is demanding, Dominica provided beautiful moments of escape in the quiet of sunsets and the balmy salt air,” she said. “I am grateful that I was able to experience the beauty of the Caribbean, not only with Blaise, but surrounded by people who shared my passion.” She also served as president of the Oncology Society on campus and as a member of the Honor Council.
A native of Seattle, Washington, Dr. Carney earned his BA in psychology at the University of Washington in his home city. He did not excel as an undergraduate but he felt that he was academically prepared to do well in medical school. He was right. “I think Ross is a place for second chances,” he said. He explained his deep-seated interest in psychiatry this way: “I think mental health work is community work, which has always been extremely compelling to me. It is my interest in understanding the lives of others that has led me to pursue a career in medicine.” About Dominica he said, “It was awesome. I didn’t need to own a car on the island. I lived walking distance to a farmer’s market, and everything is basically on the beach.”
Drs. Dabal and Carney met as students, and now, as physicians, they continue together on their professional and personal path
