Alumni Spotlight

Hailey Wilson fondly remembers her time spent with the Four Directions Summer Research Program (FDSRP). She was first intrigued by the program because she saw it as a great opportunity to gain exposure to the extensive medical community that Boston has to offer.

Living in the city was vastly different from life on the Nez Perce reservation in Lapwai, Idaho; however she made the transition quickly by forming supportive, lasting friendships with her fellow students.  Hailey didn’t waste any time exploring her new surroundings, by accompanying fellow FDSRP participants on Duck Tours, a Powwow and a camping trip to New Hampshire.

While making new friends was just a small part of the FDSRP experience, the work that Hailey did while in Boston helped her decide to pursue a path in clinical medicine rather than research.  She also reflects that participating in the FDSRP made her more aware and better prepared to overcome the unique challenge of getting into medical school.  A recent graduate of Boise State University, Hailey feels that her unique degree in Health Science Studies and minor in Biology will allow her more freedom and greater flexibility to further her career.  Ms. Wilson plans to attend a MCAT prep program at the University of North Dakota this summer.  After receiving her medical degree from either the University of Washington, or the University of North Dakota (her top two choices) her primary goal is to become a family practice physician.  She has worked to make herself very aware of the challenges faced by rural physicians, as she wants to specialize in rural medicine while working with disadvantaged Native American populations.