Alumni

Vaishnavi Tetali
Theta Class - Class of 2024

"It’s crazy to believe how incredibly nervous and intimidated I was as a freshman going through recruitment. But looking back now as a recent graduate, I couldn’t be more grateful for how DEM has shaped my undergraduate experience and prepared me for medical school. There’s a long list of reasons and examples of professional growth I could give someone considering recruitment — my increased self-confidence in public speaking, my ability to problem solve in time-sensitive situations, and my ability to work with/guide diverse groups of people through my various leadership positions. But above all, the most important thing DEM has given me is the professional connections and personal friendships that have brought me to where I am today. Even though the mentors I’ve found and best friends I’ve made are scattered across the country post-graduation, I’m confident these connections will last beyond our time in DEM and continue to better my journey through medical school and beyond."

Isabella Zagami

Iota Class - Class of 2024

“Due to COVID, my first year of college was online, so it was really difficult to meet people during that year. During my second year at Nova, classes started to be in person, but I was anxious when I was in a room with people I didn’t know. I am a shy person, so it was really difficult for me to just go up to people and start a conversation. I discovered DEM at Sharkapalooza, and I thought that it would be a great opportunity to make some friends, and to hear about others’ pre-health journeys. For me, joining DEM definitely helped me with my communication skills, as well as my professionalism due to serving on E-Board for two years and being responsible for deadlines.

Not only did DEM help me with pre-health things like MCAT prep or professional workshops, but it helped me make lifelong friendships that I am forever grateful for. Even though most of my friends that I met are far away, I am confident that they will always be a call away. I feel DEM really helped me prepare for my journey in medicine, and joining was one of the best decisions I ever made. ”