Sure, they've got a lot in common – smarts, commitment, curiosity, passion – but no two Alpert Medical School students are alike. Take a moment to meet a few.
If you’d like to add sights and sounds to your exploration of Alpert Medical School, check out our short video.
Jonathan Hernandez
Hometowns: Miami, FL, and Barranquilla, Colombia
Undergraduate college: Harvard
Majored in: Economics with minors in Chemistry and Health Policy
I knew I wanted to be a doctor when… I was an observer at the Division of Endocrinology of the University of Miami for a summer in college and I realized that through medicine I could help others and also feel academically fulfilled.
Favorite subject in high school: Chemistry
Favorite classes in college: International Trade and Investment and Biogeochemistry
I chose Alpert Medical School because… it had everything I was looking for – caring and prepared faculty, organized curriculum, a variety of health care delivery settings.
Weak spot: I enjoy sleeping.
Forte: I don’t give up easily.
What keeps me up at night is…not wanting to disappoint those whom I admire or care about.
What puts me to sleep is…a job well done.
The kind of doctor I want to be is…a personable and prepared one that will be able to offer information, hope and peace of mind to his patients.
I’m going to spend my next day off…whitewater rafting.
My advice to first-year students: Be disciplined about school but invest time in making friends with your classmates. You can do both!
A cool thing I’ve done since coming to Alpert Medical School: Helped organize a bilingual health fair for more than 500 underserved children and parents.
Something I’d like to do here but haven’t done yet: Find out what specialty is my calling. And go to Block Island in the summer.
What’s on my iPod: Weird stuff that apparently only I like.
Alisha Lakhani
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Undergraduate college: Brown University
Majored in: Human Biology
I knew I wanted to be a doctor when… I was a junior in college.
Favorite subject in high school: World History
Favorite class in college: Creative Fiction Writing
Favorite elementary teacher: Mme Pollentz – she had THE BEST shoes.
Previous career: Pharma consultant.
I chose Alpert Medical School because…of my unparalleled love for Brown. It has a strong student community with the most committed faculty and administration I’ve encountered.
Weak spot: Right lateral flank – always been ticklish there.
Forte: Organization.
What keeps me up at night is…friends.
What puts me to sleep is…mellow music.
The kind of doctor I want to be is…down to earth, approachable, intelligent, and warm – whatever my field and whatever community I live in!
I’m going to spend my next day off…reading a book, listening to music, preferably outside.
My advice to first-year students: Be flexible.
A cool thing I’ve done since coming to Alpert Medical School: Followed a young mother through her pregnancy, answered her questions, was there for her.
Something I’d like to do here but haven’t done yet: Gallery Night.
Non-med school-related book I’ve read recently: The Help by Kathryn Stockett
What’s on my iPod: 26 GB of hip hop, indie, alternative, folk, Indian music, and rock.
Peanut butter or Nutella? Nutella
Bryant Faria
Hometown: Queens, NY
Undergraduate college: Drew University
Majored in: Neurosciences, Spanish
I knew I wanted to be a doctor when…I participated in a summer pre-med program at Oxford University.
Favorite subject in high school: Environmental Ethics
Favorite class in college: Human Rights in Spanish-American Literature
Favorite elementary teacher: Ms. Kolkohrst – for having the patience to tolerate and, at times, appreciate my antics while ensuring I understood her lessons.
Previous career: Research Assistant (Clinical Trials), Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
I chose Alpert Medical School because…of its small class size, happy students, and the Grad Center Bar.
Weak spot: Puppies.
Forte: Crafting out-of-this world mnemonics.
What keeps me up at night is…thinking of witty Facebook statuses.
What puts me to sleep is…Pinot noir.
The kind of doctor I want to be is…an internist (for the moment) preferably working with underserved communities at teaching hospital.
I’m going to spend my next day off…gallivanting through Williamsburg (Brooklyn).
My advice to first-year students: Seek the advice of upperclassmen ad nauseam.
A cool thing I’ve done since coming to Alpert Medical School: Served as a teaching assistant for So You Want to be a Healthcare Professional?, a program for inner-city high school students interested in a career in healthcare.
Something I’d like to do here but haven’t done yet: Eat at Al Forno.
Non-med school-related book I’ve read lately: Drown by Junot Díaz.
What’s on my iPod: Phoenix, Justice, MGMT, Empire of the Sun, Discovery, Feist.
Peanut butter or Nutella? Dark chocolate almond butter.
Andrew Robin
Hometown: Pawtucket, RI, via Los Angeles via Stamford, CT
Undergraduate college: Harvard
Majored in: History
I knew I wanted to be a doctor when…I watched my first episode of “Emergency.”
Favorite subject in high school: Chemistry
Favorite class in college: Italian.
Favorite elementary teacher: Mrs. Ferrero, who bribed us (conditioned us?) with Now n’ Laters.
Previous career: TV and film writer/director.
Kids? 2.
I chose Alpert Medical School because… it’s great and it’s close to home.
Weak spot: Peanut M&Ms.
Forte: Trampolining with the kids.
What keeps me up at night is…lately, nothing. Cannot afford to miss sleep.
What puts me to sleep is…post-lunch lectures.
The kind of doctor I want to be is…a happy one.
I’m going to spend my next day off… doing errands.
My advice to first-year students: Learn to be content not knowing a lot.
A cool thing I’ve done since coming to Alpert Medical School: Learned to one-hand knot tie.
Something I’d like to do here but haven’t done yet: Kayak down Narragansett Bay.
Non-med school-related book I’ve read lately: Carrying the Fire by astronaut Michael Collins
What’s on my iPod: Lots of Grover Washington, Jr.
Peanut butter or Nutella? Peanut butter.
Libertad (“Libby”) Flores
Hometown: Detroit, MI
Undergraduate college: Cornell
Majored in: Spanish
I knew I wanted to be a doctor when…I was 7, and thought I would cure both brain cancer and AIDS. I changed my mind during college, but came around after working for a few years, and it’s probably the best decision I made.
Favorite subject in high school: Biology and Spanish. My favorite class was always choir.
Favorite class in college: Tie between “The African Diaspora in World Music” and a mycology course titled “Magical Mushrooms, Mischievous Molds.” The electives most difficult to get a spot in at Cornell were about wines, beers, and cooking. I didn’t get into any of them my final semester, but the Mushrooms class ended up covering elements of all three. The last class was a final feast with truffle oil frittatas and other delicious food and drink.
Favorite elementary teacher: Student-teacher in 3rd grade named Miss Jefferson. She had us all bring in different fruits and vegetables to dye yarns in glass jars for a few weeks, and then we created weaving projects out of the yarn. She definitely stands out for dedication, creativity, and fearlessness with regard to making a big mess.
Previous career: Research manager for a health industry surveillance and forecasting service. My major responsibility was to design interviews for the general public, physicians, health insurance managers, employee benefits administrators, and congressional staff. The results were used by a team of consultants try to predict the future of health industry trends and legislation. It was a lot of fun and a great place to learn about the US health system. The service has existed for over 20 years, and has a pretty good track record for success.
Before that, I did market research on vaccines and drugs from chemotherapies to allergy and sleep aids. It’s great to be in medical school learning the science behind many of the products that I used to study from a business perspective.
I chose Alpert Medical School because… there are so many advantages to studying here. What stood out most when I visited was that everyone seemed very happy and relaxed compared to other places. One year in, that is still true. I like having the advantages of a large research institution with the smaller school faculty approachability factor.
Weak spot: Lying around watching movies for embarrassing periods of time.
Forte: I like to think I’m a decent writer. Of course this makes me want to re-edit the rest of my answers.
What keeps me up at night is…Plenty, because I’m a worrier.
What puts me to sleep is…being a passenger in a car, and most televised sporting events.
The kind of doctor I want to be is… a trusted adviser. I know the right to play that role will require constant effort. Most important to me is the relationship I will have with my patients.
I’m going to spend my next day off…reading, or exploring NYC. I’m working on a summer project here, and there is plenty to see and do.
My advice to first-year students: Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb for your classmates. They will do it for you when you need it the most.
A cool thing I’ve done since coming to Alpert Medical School: Saw a RISD Nads hockey game at Meehan Auditorium. I really hope to catch a Brown/Cornell game next year.
Something I’d like to do here but haven’t done yet: Get involved in singing or performing again. There are lots of opportunities, as well as a half-baked plan to put on a show as a class next year. I hope to be a part of it!
Non-med school-related book I’ve read lately: The Help by Kathryn Stockett. This is the third summer I’ve read a book that is about to be released as a movie, and the book beats the movie every time.
What’s on my iPod: “I Can’t Lie” by Maroon 5. (It’s also stuck in my head.)
Peanut butter or Nutella? Peanut Butter! The kind with honey mixed in practically put me through college.
Ralph Rogers
Hometown: Montgomery Village, MD
Undergraduate college: U.S. Naval Academy
Majored in: Computer Science
I knew I wanted to be a doctor when…I finally (26 years in) sat down and had a serious discussion with myself about what I wanted to be when I grew up and (more importantly) why.
Favorite subject in high school: Physics
Favorite class in college: Chaos Theory
Previous careers: helicopter pilot, educational software developer, bicycle mechanic.
Kids? One 7-year-old (dog).
I chose Alpert Medical School because…I met awesome people when I visited, heard nothing but good things about the academic and professional resources and opportunities available, and enjoyed the feel of the city and its surroundings.
Weak spot: Letting go of the broad for the narrow. Sometimes a finger in everything can be detrimental to fully grasping any one thing. A balance is necessary, as with most of life, but recognizing myself as a bit too far on one side of the spectrum in the past has been, and continues to be, quite instructive to me.
Forte: crossword puzzles
What keeps me up at night is…weather.gov (meteorology is pretty darn cool)
What puts me to sleep is…A good, full, hard day's work.
The kind of doctor I want to be is…curious, involved, dedicated, sincere, caring.
I’m going to spend my next day off…finding lots of delicious smelling things in the woods and ... (Sorry, was in the other room. My dog must have learned how to type. I think he meant that we'll likely head out for a day hike.)
My advice to first-year students: You are already excellent at striving (and succeeding) at school and at life in general. You will continue to do so without much conscious thought. As an added challenge to yourself, try using a tiny fraction of your massive brainpower to concentrate on occasionally stepping back, relaxing, and enjoying the process, not just the end goal. Learning can be pretty fun.
A cool thing I’ve done since coming to Alpert Medical School: Helped out a local free health clinic for some un/under-insured folks in the area.
Something I’d like to do here but haven’t done yet: Go to a PawSox game. But that will be remedied shortly.
What’s on my iPod: Tegan and Sara.
Peanut butter or Nutella? Peanut butter. Along with a brownie and a banana. Mixed into chocolate ice cream at Coldstone.
Kelly MacDonald
Hometown: Carlisle, PA
Undergraduate college: United States Military Academy (West Point)
Majored in: Life Science
I knew I wanted to be a doctor when…I peered through microscopes in my mom’s microbiology classes during days off in kindergarten, and later when I saw how her hard work as a physician assistant improved (even, at times, saved) her patients’ lives.
Favorite subject in high school: Physics
Favorite class in college: Advanced Composition
Favorite elementary teacher: Mrs. Powell, my 3rd grade teacher. She was caring, demanding, passionate, fair, and made me feel welcome in my first year at a new school.
I chose Alpert Medical School because…I fell in love with it during my interview. Everything—its atmosphere, people, flexibility, opportunities—seemed a welcome contrast from my atypical undergraduate experience.
Weak spot: Impatience.
Forte: Marathon coaching.
What keeps me up at night is…tomorrow.
What puts me to sleep is…having had a good run earlier in the day.
The kind of doctor I want to be is…an Army doctor. One who, I hope, will provide competent, compassionate care for soldiers and their families. Beyond that, I hope to explore some of the unique opportunities and challenges Army medicine offers in areas like public health, infectious disease, mental health, women’s health, or humanitarian aid.
I’m going to spend my next day off…outside! Reading, running, hiking.
Non-med school-related book I’ve read lately: Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace.
What’s on my iPod: rock – alternative, Latino, pop, and classic.
Peanut butter or Nutella? Both!
Jenna Lester
Hometown: Syracuse, NY
Undergraduate college: Harvard
Majored in: Sociology
I knew I wanted to be a doctor when… I dissected a cow heart in first grade.
Favorite subject in high school: Calculus
Favorite class in college: Leadership and Organizations.
Favorite elementary teacher: Mrs. Baker. She was my first grade teacher and was incredibly patient and kind. She also read The Boxcar Children to our class everyday. How could a teacher get any better than that?
Kids? One day!
I chose Alpert Medical School because… all the students seemed so happy and I heard endless stories about accessible faculty members and great opportunities for small group learning.
Weak spot: Any food involving cheese.
Forte: Making lists.
What keeps me up at night is…Lifetime Movie Network.
What puts me to sleep is… simply looking at my bed.
The kind of doctor I want to be is…a doctor who makes her patients laugh.
I’m going to spend me next day off…conquering the next book on my reading list.
My advice to first-year students: Work hard but stay calm.
A cool thing I’ve done since coming to Alpert Medical School: Learned to sail! It is so fun.
Something I’d like to do here but haven’t done yet: Become a more regular patron of the Providence culinary scene. There are so many spectacular restaurants that I have yet to try!
Non-med school-related book I’ve read lately: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford. It was incredible.
What’s on my iPod: Jay-Z, Rascall Flatts, The Hood Internet, Tupac.
Peanut butter or Nutella? Both…mixed together.
Linda Ratanaprasatporn '10 MD'14
Hometown: Staten Island, NY
Undergraduate college: Brown University
Majored in: Human Biology
Knew you wanted to be a doctor when…My father was suffering from end-stage renal disease. It was at that point I realized the important role doctors play in the lives of their patients and their families. An illness is one of the most trying experiences for families. My father and his doctors never gave up, and I hope to be able to do the same for my patients. To be there for someone at time when they need the most help and support is a gratifying privilege.
Favorite subject in high school: Biology. I was a science geek!
Favorite class in college: Mande Dance, Music and Culture where I learned West African Dance. After the class, I joined an African dance group to continue learning and performing.
Favorite elementary teacher: My first grade teacher, Mrs. Treglia. She was strict and worked us very hard. I remember coming home and being jealous of my twin sister who would get tons of candy from her teacher. All I got was licorice jelly beans, which tasted horrible! Looking back though, she taught me a good work ethic. My class knew all my states and capitals before everyone else.
Previous career(s)? When I was in high school, I attempted to be an actress/dancer/singer. I wanted to be a movie star, TV star, and/or a Broadway star. I failed at that attempt, which led me to a better career path for me…medicine!
Do you have kids? No…thank goodness!
Chose Alpert Medical School because…Of the quirky and intelligent student body and faculty and because of the nurturing and supportive atmosphere.
What’s your weak spot? My weaknesses are that I tend to be too self-critical and that I sometimes have trouble prioritizing. I obsess longer than I would like on things that I should have done differently, etc. Oh! My biggest weak spot is definitely chocolate. I can never say no to a chocolate dessert or a piece of chocolate, no matter how hard I try.
What’s your forte? My strengths are that I approach things with a positive attitude and that I am fully committed to any task at hand.
What keeps you up at night? The Providence summer heat or a scary movie.
What puts you to sleep? A bad, long movie.
What kind of doctor will you be? I can’t commit myself to one specialty yet, but I know that I want to be a doctor that is intelligent, caring, and passionate and who treats the whole patients, not just the illness. Both of my parents were physicians and have really served as role models for me and my career.
How will you spend your next day off? Cooking something new and learning new cooking techniques. I read food blogs constantly and bookmark the more time-consuming and complicated recipes for post-exams and vacation.
What one piece of advice would you give a first-year student? Try to find balance in your life. Make sure to hang out with your friends and family, spend time with your significant other, and do the activities that make you happy!
What’s a cool thing you’ve done since coming to Brown/Alpert Medical School? I’ve been to a glass-blowing class and made my own bowl and cup, learned printmaking, and sat in a friend’s self-made hot tub.
What’s something you’d like to do – at Brown, in Providence / Rhode Island – that you haven’t done yet? Go to the RISD museum. It’s free for Brown students!
Read a non-med school-related book lately? This is embarrassing. But no! I haven’t read a non-med school-related book since school started.
What’s on your ipod? I don’t own an ipod. Yes, I know…I’m behind the times. I never thought it was a worthwhile investment. The idea of listening to music while I commute, workout, or when I’m bored isn’t appealing to me.
Peanut butter or Nutella? Crunchy peanut butter.
Lisa Ratanaprasatporn '10 MD'14
Hometown: Staten Island, NY
Undergraduate college: Brown University
Majored in: Human Biology
Knew you wanted to be a doctor when… I grew up in a family of physicians, so I think I becoming a doctor was always something I considered. However, I knew I wanted to be a doctor after dealing with some of my father’s medical issues. He was a type 2 diabetic with end stage renal disease. I saw the difference that good health care could make on the quality of life of a patient, and I knew I wanted to do the same for other people as my father’s doctors did for him.
Favorite subject in high school: Without a doubt, biology was my favorite.
Favorite class in college: Mande Dance, Music and Culture. I loved being able to learn about a different culture and different styles of dance.
Favorite elementary teacher: My first grade teacher, Mrs. Harkins, because she always gave me candy whenever I participated. Medical school professors do that, too!
Previous career(s)? I delivered Chinese food and pizza in high school, but wouldn’t call it a career.
Chose Alpert Medical School because… I came to Alpert Medical School as a member of the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME). From the very first time I visited Brown, I knew it was a perfect fit for me. One of the things I noticed about Alpert Medical School is that its focus is on educating students so that they’re not only competent as physicians, but also professional, compassionate, and empathetic physicians. Alpert Medical School really produces well-rounded students and provides a nurturing atmosphere for students to pursue the things that they are interested in.
What’s your weak spot? My weak spot is that I can sometimes be hard on myself. I think a lot of medical students are this way, but I think sometimes I expect a lot from myself and when I don’t necessarily reach those expectations I can get disappointed easily. I think realizing that setbacks are going to happen in medical school and in life and that I can’t expect everything to go my way and I have to be flexible has helped. Yeah, so that’s my weak spot. Also, dark chocolate! I have to have chocolate every day or I’ll go crazy.
What’s your forte? I would say my ability to be positive is my forte. I’m a pretty optimistic person, and I’m generally a very smiley, cheerful person (which can sometimes be bad when you’re seeing patients) but there are going to be hard times in medical school, and I think maintaining a good attitude is important.
What keeps you up at night? I pride myself on the ability to sleep anywhere at any time. Nothing stands in the way of me and sleep.
What puts you to sleep? Two glasses of wine.
What kind of doctor will you be? I’m not quite sure yet what kind of doctor I want to be and I think my ideas on the kind of physician I should be is constantly evolving throughout my education. No matter what field I go into, I want to be a teacher to future medical students, so I would like to go into academic medicine. My mentors in medical have been so inspirational and have taught me so much. I would be honored to have the opportunity to do that to other future physicians.
How will you spend your next day off? I will go cycling in the morning. I’ll go to the farmer’s market at the park near my house after. Then I’ll clean my entire house, make a big breakfast, lay down, and catch up on all the tv I missed out on during the week!
What one piece of advice would you give a first-year student? Medical school is one of the most wonderful and sometimes scary and tiring experiences. I recommend staying engaged and focused, but keep doing the things that relax you and help you find balance in life. Don’t give up anything you like to do (cooking, exercising, photography, whatever it is). Also, get to know the amazing people that you’re surrounded by every day! It truly is a blessing to be among such remarkable people with such diverse background and experiences. You can really learn a lot from them outside of the classroom!
What’s a cool thing you’ve done since coming to Brown/Alpert Medical School? Ever since coming to Brown, I’ve gotten the opportunity to do things that I never thought I would. I got to go on a medical brigade to Honduras with other medical students and I got to volunteer with Missionaries of Charity in India. I was able to do this because of great mentorship from physicians at Alpert Medical School.
What’s something you’d like to do – at Brown, in Providence / Rhode Island – that you haven’t done yet? Go to the Roger Williams Park Zoo!
What’s on your ipod? I don’t even own an Ipod! I like music, but I don’t really have the need to listen to it all the time.
Peanut butter or Nutella? Extra Crunchy Peanut Butter all the way! It really is another addiction of mine.