Profiles

Mankin

Musgrave

Smith

Stewart

Tan

Trucco

Andrea Tan (MED '03)

Andrea Tan still remembers what immediately attracted her to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine after only one short weekend visit: the people. "My interview day was perfect...I loved the clinical faculty and deans whom I met during the day and was particularly impressed by the student body. I just knew that this is where I wanted to be. Beyond that, the school clearly lived up to its reputation for academic excellence," said Andrea, who received her BA summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania, class of '99.

Since her first visit to Pittsburgh more than four years ago, Andrea has become an active member in the Pitt Med community. She has formed tight bonds with her classmates; and likewise, has fostered close relationships with professors, clinical faculty, and UPMC-affiliated physicians. As one of the leaders of the Women in Medicine organization, Andrea has worked with some of the most prominent female physicians in the area, coordinating visiting speaker engagements and seminars, and organizing mentor-student relationships. And as vice president of the American Medical Student's Association, she has had the opportunity to work closely with several deans from the medical school, many of whom have become mentors as well as close friends.

"Pitt Med does an unparalleled job of selecting students who are truly unique individuals that bring a variety of interests and talents to the table," she said. "And although it is an academically rigorous institution, the environment is refreshing and congenial—not one of cutthroat competition but rather one defined by camaraderie. It is an environment which fosters the closest of friendships. We truly become a family here."

Upon graduation in May 2003, Andrea chose to do a preliminary medicine year at UPMC in Pittsburgh. After internship, she will complete her residency in anesthesiology at UPMC. This decision was an easy one for her, based primarily on her exceptional experience as a medical student at Pitt. Continuing her medical training at Pitt has been fulfilling so far, allowing her to grow into a new role in a familiar environment and to deepen relationships with the clinical faculty she had already worked with as a medical student.

"I expected to have a good experience at Pitt Med, but this was far more than I ever imagined. It has undoubtedly been the most valuable experience of my life both professionally and personally."