Student spotlights: Class of 2025 celebrates future dreams on Match Day
A highlight of every medical student’s educational journey is Match Day, the milestone event when upcoming graduates learn where they will continue their training after earning their degrees. On March 21, UT Southwestern’s Class of 2025 will join more than 40,000 medical students nationwide as they simultaneously open envelopes at 11 a.m. to reveal their residency placements through the National Resident Matching Program. The celebration at UTSW will take place in the Bryan Williams, M.D. Student Center gymnasium, but for those unable to attend Match Day in person, a virtual stream will be provided.
In advance of the big day, eight medical students eagerly awaiting Match Day share their inspiring stories driving their passions for medicine. From one student who delivered his own son during his labor and delivery rotation to another who discovered his calling while serving in the U.S. Navy, learn more about what drives this representative group of leaders in medicine as they prepare for the future.
Benjamin Conover
Hometown: Ladera Ranch, California
Specialty: Orthopedic surgery
Why did you decide to become a physician?
My interest in medicine was sparked at age 12 when I attended a Scout camp and earned my First Aid Merit Badge. I was fascinated with the idea of using my own hands to stabilize and heal patients. After high school, I lived in western Argentina for two years and saw firsthand the detrimental consequences of limited access to health care. My lack of knowledge at the time prevented me from contributing to their care and inspired me to expand my medical understanding to better alleviate the needs of underserved communities.
What does Match Day mean to you?
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your medical education and how did you overcome it?
My wife and I both agree that our biggest challenge in medical school is also our greatest blessing. During my second year, we welcomed our first child to our family. I was in the middle of a busy clerkship rotation, and the sleepless nights and increased time required at home pushed me physically, emotionally, and academically. My wife and I made a lot of changes and were able to improve both our sleep and my clinical performance to be successful in medical school. We both agree that our two sons are the biggest blessings in our lives. They make me a better student and person.
What made you choose to attend UTSW?
My first choice for a long time leading up to my medical school application was UT Southwestern. The top-notch education from world-class physicians, robust research infrastructure, and ample resources for any specialty make it second to none. These attributes, combined with the affordability of the school and the surrounding area, made choosing UTSW an easy decision. Thankfully, my experiences here have far exceeded my expectations and helped prepare me for residency.
What are you most looking forward to about training and practicing in your chosen specialty?
From a young age, I have been fascinated with mechanics and using my hands. From working at a wood mill in college to tinkering with machinery at home, I have long enjoyed analyzing how things work, diagnosing problems, and working with my hands to solve those issues. In my opinion, orthopedics is the perfect combination of mechanics and medicine that leads to a tangible impact on patient lives.
What are your dreams for your future career?
During my time at UTSW, I had the opportunity to participate in multiple medical missions to Central America. These experiences, combined with living in Argentina for two years, helped me develop a love for international humanitarian outreach. Regardless of my future subspecialty within orthopedics, I hope to incorporate humanitarian work into my practice in both domestic and international settings.
Ruchita Iyer
Hometown: Plano, Texas
Specialty: Internal medicine-pediatrics (Med-Peds)
Why did you decide to become a physician?
It sounds cliché, but I can’t remember ever wanting to pursue a career besides medicine. From a young age, I recall being fascinated with physiology and well-being. As I studied public health as an undergraduate, I was further drawn to working with vulnerable populations but missed the individual relationships that physicians build with their patients. I found this career merges with my passion to support vulnerable communities, be a lifelong learner, and develop meaningful, long-term relationships with patients. For these reasons, I am pursuing Med-Peds, and I look forward to caring for patients across the age spectrum – in particular young adults with complex medical conditions.
What does Match Day mean to you?
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your medical education and how did you overcome it?
Coming to UTSW, I felt honored to be in the company of my wonderful classmates. During orientation, Associate Dean Blake Barker, M.D., shared a list of accomplishments and concluded by stating this was just a few of the amazing things my classmates had done. Within this thriving community, I initially felt out of place and overwhelmed, especially during my transition to medical school and initial core clerkships. However, through self-reflection, coaching, and guidance from my support system, I learned to cultivate self-confidence, embrace my unique strengths, and address feelings of imposter syndrome. I am grateful to my support system – family, friends, and mentors – for encouraging and believing in me along the way.
What made you choose to attend UTSW?
I chose to attend UTSW for its commitment to providing strong clinical training and fostering student development through research, medical education, and community service. Passionate about working with underserved populations, I was drawn to UTSW’s numerous student-run clinics, the opportunity to rotate in a large county hospital, and attention to time dedicated to conducting research and quality improvement. Reflecting on my education, I am beyond grateful to have completed my medical training at UTSW, where I have developed the foundation to become a well-rounded, empathic physician.
What are you most looking forward to about training and practicing in your chosen specialty?
I am beyond excited to become a Med-Peds resident and learn to care for patients across the lifespan. I am most looking forward to developing the skills to become a practicing physician and applying my medical training. I am also so excited to meet my co-residents.
What are your dreams for your future career?
I hope to care for young adults with pediatric-onset medical conditions and medical complexity. The transition from pediatric to adult model of care can be challenging and complicated, and I look forward to supporting patients through this transition. Ultimately, I aspire to develop innovative care models that improve the health and well-being of these young adults and promote equitable access to quality care.
Perpetuah Sherman
Hometowns: Nakuru, Kenya, and San Antonio, Texas
Specialty: Anesthesiology
Why did you decide to become a physician?
My journey to medicine wasn’t a straight path. I first went to pharmacy school, graduated, and practiced for 10 years – and I loved being a pharmacist. But life threw me an unexpected challenge. A harrowing experience during the birth of my second child, along with several pivotal moments in my pharmacy career, deepened my desire to become more involved with patient care, and I realized that becoming a physician was the right path for me.
What does Match Day mean to you?
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your medical education and how did you overcome it?
Going into medical school, I knew that balancing my education with being a mother of three would be challenging. To manage this juggling act, I leaned on my husband and children, shared my schedule clearly, and explained why I couldn’t always be present for certain events. Clear communication was key and allowed my family to support me in the ways I needed most, which put me at ease and helped me focus on working hard.
What made you choose to attend UTSW?
I wanted to train at a place with a strong reputation for excellence. But what truly sold me was my encounter with Kristina Goff, M.D., an anesthesiology intensivist, during my interview. She not only understood my passion for critical care medicine but also made me feel that UTSW was a place where I could explore my interests and take them to new heights. North Texas offers a strong job market, excellent schools, and a vibrant community, and it felt like a place where both my career and family could thrive.
What are you most looking forward to about training and practicing in your chosen specialty?
As a medical student, I gained a clearer understanding of the kind of clinician I wanted to be, and now residency will give me the opportunity to refine those skills in real-time patient care. Over the next several years, I’ll be learning to think critically under pressure, honing my procedural expertise, and developing the depth of knowledge needed to care for patients in both the OR and ICU. I’m excited for the opportunity to grow into the role of a critical care anesthesiologist, who brings both expertise and reassurance to patients during their most vulnerable moments.
What are your dreams for your future career?
I hope to continue developing my clinical interests in quality improvement and patient safety, influencing practice standards, and optimizing patient outcomes. Beyond clinical practice, I want to grow my leadership skills and contribute to shaping the future of anesthesiology. I look forward to mentoring medical students and residents and fostering a culture of excellence and empathy in patient care. Ultimately, I want to be part of a collaborative environment where I can both learn from and guide others to improve patient care and advance the field.
Pooja Venkatesh
Hometown: Chicago
Specialty: Neurosurgery
Why did you decide to become a physician?
My mother’s career as a physician provided an early window into the world of medicine, but what truly cemented my path was growing up with my brother, who has a rare neurological condition. I witnessed firsthand the complexities of navigating the health care system as our family sought diagnoses and treatments and witnessed the profound impact that compassionate, skilled physicians can have on families like mine. For me, pursuing medicine isn’t just a career choice; it’s my way of giving back to a community that has supported my family and embracing what I consider to be one of the highest privileges – the opportunity to help others during difficult moments.
What does Match Day mean to you?
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your medical education and how did you overcome it?
One of my greatest challenges was balancing my time among school, my partner, my family, and my personal interests. At first, I was overwhelmed, but I learned to manage my time efficiently by setting clear priorities and making the most of every moment. This shift not only strengthened my relationships but also gave me the freedom to travel and stay more engaged in hobbies that kept me grounded. Learning this balance has made me a better student, family member, and future physician.
What made you choose to attend UTSW?
After my family moved to Texas in 2020, I wanted to stay close to home while pursuing a world-class medical education. Amid the blur of virtual interviews during COVID-19, my UTSW interview stood out. The program thoughtfully matched me with faculty who shared my hobbies and passions, which fostered genuine connections. They engaged with my personal story and experiences, and I felt truly seen. I knew UTSW would be a place where I could thrive, both professionally and personally.
What are you most looking forward to about training and practicing in your chosen specialty?
I’m drawn to neurosurgery through the challenge of mastering complex surgical techniques while guiding patients through life-altering decisions. Beyond the operating room, I’m excited to contribute to neurosurgery’s rapidly evolving landscape where research and innovation continuously expand our understanding of the brain and therapeutic capabilities. As I progress through training and into practice, I look forward to mentoring others, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, and helping to build a more inclusive future for neurosurgery that better serves our patient populations.
What are your dreams for your future career?
I want to be a pediatric neurosurgeon with a practice that extends beyond my local community to care for children who lack access to specialized neurosurgical care. I’m particularly drawn to the intersection of global health and neurosurgery. I hope to build partnerships across borders that will allow me to provide neurosurgical care to underserved children while working toward sustainable solutions that improve access to pediatric neurosurgery in resource-limited settings.
Chandler Werthmann
Hometown: Plano, Texas
Specialty: Neurology
Why did you decide to become a physician?
I have always been fascinated by the fact that our brain, a 3-pound bundle of cells in our skulls, could dictate who we are as humans including our wants, interests, hopes, and sad feelings. The more I learned about this incredible organ, the more I realized the tragedy of losing it. You can replace your heart, liver, or lungs and still be you, but there is no replacement for the brain. I realized that I want to work one-on-one with patients to help them live their most fulfilling lives despite any neurological disorders.
What does Match Day mean to you?
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your medical education and how did you overcome it?
As I moved into the Ph.D. phase of my training, I was riding high after having finally finished the first Step exam. However, as the initial weeks of lab turned into months, I slowly realized I had little idea of what I was doing. I found myself floundering, yet I couldn’t swallow my pride and ask for help. I certainly would have been more productive in those first few months if I had. Once I realized this, I made it a priority to voice my uncertainties and soak up as much knowledge as possible. I carried this attitude into my senior year of medical education, and I look forward to continuing to learn during my career.
What made you choose to attend UTSW?
I was impressed by the pursuit of basic scientific truth throughout the UT Southwestern research community. It is a huge inspiration to me as a physician-scientist to see the impact that their advancements have made on the biomedical community, both at the bench and the bedside.
What are you most looking forward to about training and practicing in your chosen specialty?
I am mostly looking forward to giving patients and their families peace of mind and support through accurate diagnoses, because there is power in naming the problem. More importantly, I am excited to help develop and implement state-of-the-art therapies to prevent the devastating effects of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
What are your dreams for your future career?
I dream of a future in medicine where the word dementia is not feared, but it is treated just like we treat hypertension or high cholesterol. I also dream of a future where patients can access the diagnostic testing and medical expertise they need, regardless of cost.
DeQuan Weston
Hometown: Phoenix
Specialty: Emergency medicine
What does Match Day mean to you?
Why did you decide to become a physician?
During my second deployment as a member of the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, I worked with a mobile trauma unit. After watching this team, I realized I wanted to do something similar and decided to honorably discharge to pursue a career in medicine. During my undergraduate studies, I began working as an emergency room technician in the trenches of an emergency department. Each day, I witnessed doctors and the entire ER team save lives and maintain their composure, even when the place felt like it might explode. This is an extremely rare work environment and is what ultimately persuaded me to apply to medical school to become an emergency medicine physician.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your medical education and how did you overcome it?
One of my biggest challenges was finding a balance among my studies, hobbies, and social life. Luckily, I had the support of Allison (who is now my wife), family, and friends who did incredible favors to support me during medical school. Having a strong social network and family nearby definitely helped me during the difficult times and is something I am extremely grateful for.
What made you choose to attend UTSW?
I chose UTSW for two reasons. After being gone from this area for about eight years while in the military and during undergraduate studies, I wanted to be near family during medical school. The other reason was the diversity of both fields and experiences that UTSW offers. I wanted to immerse myself in anything I found interesting before making the big decision, and UTSW offered me that and more.
What are you most looking forward to about training and practicing in your chosen specialty?
I am most looking forward to the daily commotion and camaraderie that takes place in the ER. Every day in this field can be so different, which I find interesting and exciting. As far as training, I look forward to learning from a team of experts and focusing on perfecting the skills of emergency medicine to hopefully, one day, be as great as the physicians who inspired me to pursue this field of medicine in the first place.
What are your dreams for your future career?
My dream career would be one that allows me to have a healthy work/life balance and opportunities for mentorship and education. Recently I have become interested in wilderness medicine and endurance sports, so finding a niche to implement these would be exciting. I would also like to work in mountain rescue, or in a medical tent at the next Leadville 100, an annual ultramarathon through the Rocky Mountains.
COUPLE SPOTLIGHT
Sharing successes and life, together
UTSW medical students Meaghan Lee and Pedro Pinales met during their first semester in 2021 at a post-anatomy exam dinner. After dating for three years, they look forward to learning where they will place in residencies after graduating in May. The interview process has been stressful, but they are one another’s biggest supporters. They hope their match results will lead them to medical institutions in the same city.
“We understand what the other is going through, so we have been able to provide comfort to each other in times of uncertainty,” Mr. Pinales said. “Even though we’re applying into different specialties, we’ve been able to share our experiences to help with the process. We’ve also been able to advocate for each other when one of us gets an interview at an institution. Many programs have been very kind and accommodating to try to interview both of us.”
What does Match Day mean to you?
Meaghan Lee
Hometown: Ridgeland, Mississippi
Specialty: Psychiatry
Why did you decide to become a physician?
I grew up in a medical family, with my mom as a pharmacist and my dad as a physician. Some of my earliest memories were wearing my dad’s scrub tops as pajamas and following him to the office with my sister. I admired my parents’ dedication to caring for others and began to forge my own path as I became interested in mental health. After studying psychology and neuroscience in college, I spent my gap years conducting research in integrated behavioral health in pediatric primary care. Through that work, I realized that medicine was truly for me as it allowed me to connect with patients directly, to appreciate the breadth of biopsychosocial factors, and to ultimately care for my patients as whole people.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your medical education and how did you overcome it?
Despite my past experiences working on helplines and with at-risk youth, I struggled with the heavy emotional toll of clinical rotations, particularly in psychiatry, where many patients had significant histories of trauma. It will be an ongoing process to balance my own well-being with that of my patients. I found solace through talking with my loved ones and having many thoughtful conversations with residents, faculty, and mentors about self-care, coping, and advocacy, both inside and outside the hospital.
What made you choose to attend UTSW?
I was fortunate to have family ties to UTSW, where my dad completed his fellowship and where my older sister completed medical school and her residency. After spending the pandemic quarantining alone in Philadelphia, I knew that I wanted to move closer to home for medical school. I remember my dad saying, “If you work at Parkland, you can work anywhere,” and I felt confident that I would not only get the best clinical training at UTSW but also all of the support and free food that comes with living near family.
What are you most looking forward to about training and practicing in your chosen specialty?
I chose psychiatry for its moments of deep human connection and storytelling. We meet patients at their most vulnerable and recognize that although we cannot change the past, we can still work together to move forward. That is the pinnacle of hope and resilience in psychiatry for me.
What are your dreams for your future career?
I see my future practice as incorporating a mix of inpatient and outpatient services and possibly working in some capacity with transitional age youth to achieve care across the lifespan. I also enjoy working at the intersection of multiple systems, and I see integrated care or teleconsultation in my future to increase access to care for underserved populations.
Pedro Pinales
Hometown: Brownsville, Texas
Specialty: Anesthesiology
Why did you decide to become a physician?
I grew up in the border city of Brownsville, Texas, and saw the effects of limited access to health care in my own community. In high school, I participated in a precollege medical professions program that exposed me to the field. While I enjoyed the material, it was not until I had a personal experience with a family member in critical care that highlighted the importance of patient advocacy and the treatment of patients as people, not diseases, that I decided to become a doctor. Like those physicians, I pursued a career in medicine because I wanted to bring comfort and care to patients and families in their times of greatest need.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your medical education and how did you overcome it?
As the first person in my family to study medicine, there were many moments of imposter syndrome when I questioned whether I belonged here. It felt as if I wasn’t doing enough and that I was running around without direction. However, as time went on, little victories turned into bigger ones. I was fortunate to have an incredible support system of family, friends, my partner, and mentors. They showed unwavering support and instilled faith in me. In times of doubt, I remembered that this journey went beyond me and was as much theirs as mine.
What made you choose to attend UTSW?
I wanted to stay in Texas near my family, and after the interview cycle was over, I felt that UT Southwestern gave me the opportunity to maximize my medical school experience. I knew the people and resources at UTSW, combined with the city of Dallas, would provide me with an excellent opportunity to grow as a person and future physician.
What are you most looking forward to about training and practicing in your chosen specialty?
It has been great to explore different specialties, but I am ready to learn more about the intricacies of anesthesia and how we can help patients both inside and outside the operating room. I look forward to working with like-minded individuals and managing a wide variety of patients, ranging from the healthiest to the sickest.
What are your dreams for your future career?
After finishing residency, I would like to complete a fellowship in pediatric anesthesiology. I see myself in academic medicine and look forward to paying homage to the mentors who shaped my journey by working in medical education with a focus on mentorship of underrepresented minorities to promote greater culturally sensitive care for all.
