Melissa taylor, MD '13

GENERAL SURGERY RESIDENT

WHAT IS A FOND MEMORY YOU HAVE FROM YOUR TIME SPENT IN DOMINICA?
After graduating from medical school and entering residency, I find myself looking back at Ross and my time in Dominica often. I loved exploring the beautiful country and culture of Dominica. It was a growing experience for me intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. I made some of the strongest friendships during those years.

From across the U.S. and Canada, many of us traveled far to the island of Dominica for our education and dreams of becoming a physician. For me, the hardest challenge was being so far removed from family and friends back home. Being that all of us at RUSM were in a similar boat, my fellow classmates became my family. We celebrating holidays, accomplishments, challenges and losses together.

As Class Representative, I had the honor of providing the celebratory speech at the 4th Semester Commencement Banquet. I remember having a true sense of pride and joy of what my classmates and I had accomplished and persevered through during Basic Sciences. I would list that as one of the most memorable moments.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING SINCE GRADUATING FROM RUSM AND WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?
After Ross, I completed a preliminary year at UT Knoxville. This opportunity provided me with a greater love for surgery and was a stepping stone to a categorical position at East Tennessee State University (ETSU). Since starting my residency at ETSU, I have earned awards for Junior Resident of the Year and Excellence in Academic Research, as well as, presented at several major conference and authored a publication in a major journal. Currently, I am a fourth year resident, applying to Cardiothoracic Surgery.

DESCRIBE SOME OF THE VOLUNTEER WORK YOU'VE BEEN A PART OF.
I traveled to the country of Belize and spent a month providing free surgical services to the local population.

AS A RUSM ALUMNA, WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
I am most proud of the reputation RUSM students and alumni have created. One of the most common comments I receive from those in the medical community is that RUSM students and residents are true hard working, reliable and clinically competent individuals.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY TO RUSM AS WE CELEBRATE OUR 40TH ANNIVERSARY?
Congratulations to Ross for 40 years of creating great physicians. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to accomplish my dreams and become a physician.