Introducing Brigita, a Fourth-year medical student at Noorda-COM!
When/how did you decide you wanted to be a physician?
My path to medicine started through sports. I began rhythmic gymnastics at the age of four and spent nearly 10 years competing internationally for both the United States and Lithuania. Along the way, I experienced countless injuries, including multiple fractures, and spent a great deal of time being treated by physicians, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals. Those experiences naturally sparked my interest in how the human body moves, adapts, and heals.
In high school, I took an anatomy course, and something clicked! I loved being able to connect what I was learning in the classroom to the movements I was performing every day in training. My experiences as an athlete gave me an appreciation for the physical challenges that come with injury, while the physicians who treated me showed me the importance of compassionate and encouraging care throughout recovery.
Brigita mid-air at the Tashkent World Cup in Uzbekistan.
Why did you choose Noorda-COM?
Noorda-COM has a unique approach to medical education and a strong sense of community. I was drawn to the pod system which balances independent learning and working closely with classmates who bring different strengths and perspectives. As someone interested in PM&R, I was particularly intrigued by the strong emphasis on musculoskeletal medicine and OMM, which allowed me to build an early foundation aligned with my career goals. I also appreciate how invested the faculty are in their students, especially through small-group and hands-on learning environments where we receive meaningful guidance.
A study break while “balancing” assignments
What motivates you every day on your journey to becoming a physician?
What motivates me most is seeing what patients are capable of overcoming. During my clinical rotations, I have met patients facing circumstances that completely changed their lives, yet they continued working toward small goals and celebrating progress along the way. Watching that determination inspires me to continue challenging myself and to develop the skills necessary to help patients reach their own individual aspirations.
Brigita at the start of her medical school journey in 2023
Who has had the greatest impact on your life/medical journey?
It is difficult to name just one person because my journey has been shaped by an entire team. The physicians I worked with during my years in gymnastics had a particularly lasting impact because they taught me that overcoming a setback is not just about treating an injury, but also about helping someone maintain perspective, adapt, and believe that progress is still possible. In many ways, medical education reminds me of training in sports: you are identifying areas for improvement, receiving feedback, learning from mistakes, and working with people who want to see you become better.
Competing at the World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan
What are you most passionate about?
I am most passionate about helping people navigate unexpected challenges and want to use my medical knowledge to not only treat a condition but also help patients find a path toward the best quality of life when circumstances do not go as planned.
To me, some of the most rewarding moments in medicine are when a patient realizes they can do something they once thought might not be feasible. Whether that means walking independently around their home, returning to work, getting back to a favorite activity, or reaching a new goal, I find it incredibly impactful to help someone rediscover potential.
“I thought I was just being a helpful teammate. Fast forward to medical school and I realized I’d been doing unofficial OMT all along!” -Brigita
What is one thing you are most proud of?
Learning how to turn adversity into growth and to keep moving forward through obstacles and setbacks is something I am most proud of. I hope to bring a positive outlook into my career by helping patients recognize their own progress, even when their path looks different from what they originally imagined.
Gaining hands-on experience with shockwave therapy at Bluetail Medical Group-Naples under the guidance of Luga Podesta, MD.
What is one of your favorite memories at Noorda-COM?
Some of my favorite memories at Noorda-COM are the everyday moments with the people who have become such an important part of my life. From studying long hours before exams with podmates to sharing our clinical rotation stories, these relationships have grown into reliable and meaningful friendships that I know will be carried beyond medical school.
The faculty have also had a tremendous impact on my experience. I have had professors who were willing to stay after class, answer one more question, or explain something in a different way until it finally clicked. Even being asked challenging questions and put on the spot in pre-clinical labs, something I am sure every medical student can relate to, became an important part of learning how to think on my feet!
I am genuinely grateful for how much those experiences pushed me to grow and feel well prepared for real-world clinical scenarios. The community I have built here has shaped not only the way I approach medicine, but also the kind of empathetic, holistic, and selfless physician I strive to become.
Research day at Noorda with pod members (left to right: Brigita B., Hannah H., Jacob W., Levi F., Amanda M.)
If I’m not in a clinical setting or sports arena, you’ll probably find me enjoying the outdoors in Lake Tahoe!
