Idaho State University Sport and Exercise Science Alumna Excels in Medical School

However, after touring the ISU Human Performance Lab in Reed Gym during a campus tour with her fellow classmates from Aberdeen High School, and meeting the department faculty, Wright knew immediately that the sport and exercise science (SES) major was the perfect fit for her.

“I decided to switch to sport and exercise science that same day,” said Wright. Upon being accepted at ISU, Wright started her first year in the SES program as well as the honors program. She jumped right into her SES courses and knew that she wanted to graduate with an honors degree rather than an honors distinction. In order to do this, she needed to complete a research project by graduation. To accomplish this goal, Wright approached SES Professor, Dr. Michael Meyers, and was pleased when he told her to come back in January.

“He thought I wouldn’t come back but I did,” Wright said. Her dedication to the program and resilience allowed her to become an intern for Dr. Meyers in the ISU Human Performance Lab that semester, where she was able to conduct research and work with him all before ever officially starting her prerequisite courses. This unique opportunity as an undergraduate student proved to be a pivotal point for Wright as she continued throughout the program and was eventually accepted into medical school.

The SES program prepares students for a successful career in any of their given fields; and being such a versatile program, equips students with the necessary skills and educational background to be strong candidates for employment in a variety of industries, including health science, wellness, fitness, personal training, and so on. Students are given formidable opportunities through program activities and internships, and have the opportunity to make various connections with others in their chosen field.

Wright noted that the SES program was very hands-on, which she credits as helping her apply complex theories to real-life situations. Whether it was working in the ISU Biomechanics Lab, working with patients performing exercise stress tests, or taking blood pressures on student athletes, Wright said that the program’s approach to learning prepared her well for her future ahead.

At the end of her time in the SES department, Wright was able to present her research which explored hemodynamic abnormalities among NCAA (National Collegiate Athletics Association) athletes at the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) conference in Orlando, Florida in May 2019.

Wright graduated from the SES program a semester early and continued working as a graduate assistant for another year. During this time, she also taught classes in the ISU Human Performance Lab. Eventually, after encouragement from her mentors, Wright pivoted from her original plan of applying to become a physician assistant and instead decided to apply for medical school in January of 2020.

“My mentors, Dr. Meyers and Shad Robinson, played a huge role in pushing me to where I am now,” Wright said. “I very distinctly remember Dr. Meyers telling me, ‘You need to go to medical school or you’re not going to be happy,’ because I was doubting myself. They pushed me to do better every day.” Wright began studying to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) in early 2020 and applied to medical school that summer. It was January of 2021 when Wright was accepted into University of Washington School of Medicine and Fall 2021 when she began.

“The way the University of Washington (UW) works is really cool because they have their WWAMI Program,” explained Wright. The WWAMI program is the UW School of Medicine’s one-of-a-kind medical education program that allows students to attend medical school in their home state. The acronym WWAMI stands for each of the states served, including Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. “I get to go to medical school in Idaho, so for the first eighteen months I got to participate in in-class learning tests, lectures, and anatomy labs all within the state,” Wright said. “Now, I’m on my clinical rotations working with attending and resident doctors, and I get to see patients, come up with treatment plans, and participate in surgeries and procedures. Yesterday, I was in the operating room for fourteen hours. It’s great because you’re learning medicine in real-time.”

In January of 2023, Wright also joined the United States Navy. She was accepted under the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) and is now on reserve duty. Upon graduation, she will begin an active duty role. Wright has future plans of continuing her work for the Navy as a physician with a specialization in hand surgery or orthopedic trauma.

Wright’s experience with outstanding ISU mentors and faculty has allowed her the opportunity to excel in comparison to her classmates in medical school; an experience she is incredibly grateful to have had. “In the sport and exercise science program, you learn how to read EKGs,” said Wright. “And not just how to read them, but how to read them accurately and proficiently. When I started med school, I already knew how to read them because of my time at ISU. I taught a lot of my peers how to read them because they didn’t know how. Where else would you learn how to read EKGs in your undergrad? Not many other places.”

As a graduate of the SES program at the College of Education, Wright highlighted how amazing the program is and the many doors it has opened for her future. “When you’re in the program, you just have to make the most of it,” Wright said. “You’ll get out of it what you put into it and succeed if you put your all into it.”

To learn more about the SES program at ISU, please visit isu.edu/hpss.