Introducing Maria, a Second-year medical student at Noorda-COM!
When/how did you decide you wanted to be a doctor?
I have dreamed of becoming a doctor since I was a child. The fascination with the inner workings of the human body intrigued me through high school but it was not until I moved to the United States, when I seriously started looking into all the academic requirements to pursue my dream. Even then, it took twenty years of patience to finally get to where I am now.
Maria as a child.
I grew up in Russia, where medical school begins right after high school, however, my initial academic pursuit was in business and the entertainment industry. I moved to the United States, married my husband and started a twenty-year journey around the country and the world as a military spouse. I met incredible people with each move, immersed in diverse communities throughout Asia, Europe and the Caribbean which gave me a deep appreciation for different cultures and life experiences. Over time, my view of medicine has transformed from intellectual curiosity to an opportunity to understand and serve people. I feel so blessed to finally step onto this path and share it with my colleagues.
What motivates you every day on your journey to becoming a physician?
My daily motivation on this journey are my future patients and the incredible colleagues I meet along the way. At Noorda, I’ve had the privilege of learning alongside students who each bring their own strengths, gifts, and perspectives. Learning from and with them reminds me that the future of medicine and the world will be brighter as they enter the workforce. The kindness, perseverance, and genuine care I see here help me push through the challenging days, always keeping my future patients in mind.
Maria with Noorda colleagues.
Why did you choose Noorda-COM?
Noorda-COM has created an environment conducive to learning medicine and raising a family. Prior to medical school, I was a stay-at-home mom, and my family always came first – even as I decided to follow my own aspirations. Learning about Noorda’s pod system and prerecorded lectures offered a balance between school and family in a way that strengthens both. I am truly grateful for the chance to pursue my dream of medicine while being able to stay present for my family.
Family At Zions Park.
What is one thing you are most proud of?
I am most proud of over twenty years of marriage and our family.
Maria and her spouse at a Military Ball.
Who has had the greatest impact on your life or medical journey?
The military community has profoundly shaped both my life and my desire to serve as a military physician. Most of my adult years have been within this community. Our children were born around the world, and in many ways, the military family helped raise them. Through constant moves, deployments, and new beginnings, I witnessed firsthand the resilience, sacrifice, and shared purpose that define military life.
Military Graduation with parents-in-law.
It is this deep sense of community and service that inspired me to join the military through the Health Professions Scholarship Program. I carry immense gratitude for service members and their families who sacrifice so much, and I am honored to give back through my own future service as a physician. I understand deployments from the family’s perspective – the long stretches of uncertainty, the missed milestones, the children who long for a parent, and the quiet waiting for a reassuring call from thousands of miles away. I believe that shared experience will allow me to build meaningful connections and care for military families with the empathy and understanding they deserve.
How do you find balance in medical school, especially with being a mother?
I wouldn’t have made it this far without my husband’s support. We tag-team responsibilities at home and continue to rely on teamwork to accomplish things.
Maria on Noorda-COM Campus.
Our children are older now and are independent enough for me to focus on schoolwork. There are still days when the balance gets challenging. If someone is sick, has a school event, or needs help with a project, I try to be present – even if that means staying up late to study. And when exams take over, and I’m consumed with preparation, I make it a priority to carve out intentional time on the weekend to do something special together as a family. I’ve also looked for ways to overlap both responsibilities, such as volunteering with Anatomy Academy at one of our children’s schools, which was a true win-win.
So many Noorda student-parents are a constant source of inspiration to me, and I applaud them as we continue this journey.
What is your favorite part of osteopathic medicine?
I value the holistic approach of osteopathic medicine and the additional perspective it gives me in recognizing and treating somatic dysfunction. On a personal level, I love when our kids come to me to treat their aches and pains and watch them be blown away by my “magic” powers.
What specialty of medicine are you most interested in?
Eventually, I would like to practice Family Medicine (FM) in a rural community, where I can meet patients where they are and build trust not only in the exam room, but throughout the community. I’m looking forward to caring for patients across the lifespan and to long-term relationships FM offers. Rural practice will also allow for the development of procedural skills and innovation in resource-limited conditions, something military residency should prepare me for. After FM residency, I hope to complete a surgical obstetric fellowship to help provide much-needed obstetric care in rural communities that are already considered maternity care deserts.
Attending An AAFP Meeting With Other Students.
