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Get to Gnome Me Archives - Noorda College

Women in Medicine Month: Meet Dr. M’Lindsey Romero!

By Culture + Community

Meet Dr. M’Lindsey Romero, faculty member at Noorda-COM!

What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine?

Growing up, I was always fascinated by anatomy and how the human body works, but I also knew I wanted a career where I could make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Medicine gave me the opportunity to bring those two interests together. As my career has evolved, I’ve found that what I love most is not just understanding how the body works, but using that knowledge to care for the whole person.

What has been the most rewarding part of your career in medicine?

The most rewarding part of my career has been finding a way to combine the things I love most about medicine: caring for patients, practicing with an osteopathic approach, and teaching future physicians. I especially enjoy opportunities where those roles overlap—when I can care for a patient while helping a student learn how to think about that patient more broadly and apply osteopathic techniques. Noorda-COM has been a great fit for me because it has allowed me to continue practicing medicine while also being involved in medical education.

Was there a woman in medicine who influenced or inspired you early in your career?

Dr. Galin was an important influence early in my career. She was the first person to introduce me to pediatric osteopathy and helped me see how osteopathic principles could be meaningfully incorporated into the care of children. I admired not only her intelligence and clinical skill, but also her humor and gumption. She had a confidence in who she was and how she practiced medicine that made an impression on me.

What does being a woman in medicine mean to you personally?

For me, being a woman in medicine has meant learning that I don’t have to choose between being a physician and being a mother. Both are incredibly important parts of who I am, and while balancing them has not always been easy, I value both deeply. I also think women bring important perspectives to medicine, and representation matters. Patients deserve to have physicians with whom they feel comfortable and understood, and young women entering medicine need to be able to see that there are many different ways to build a meaningful career and life.

What is something you’re proud of in your journey as a woman in medicine?

I’m proud that I didn’t allow obstacles—or other people’s expectations—to determine what my life in medicine would look like. I was the first student at my medical school to become pregnant, and at the time there wasn’t much of a roadmap for how to navigate medical school and motherhood together. It was difficult, but I continued to work hard and did well. I had another child during residency a decision that was discouraged, but again I found a way to make it work.

Looking back, I’m proud that I kept moving forward even when people questioned whether I could—or should—do both. I have built a career that I genuinely care about without sacrificing being the kind of mother I want to be. Those experiences have also given me a perspective that I now get to share with others. I’ve been able to encourage and mentor students who are trying to navigate their own challenges, and I think being a mother has also made me a better physician and helped me connect more meaningfully with my patients and their families.
I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to be an influence in the lives of my students, my patients, and their families. Some of the experiences that were the most challenging for me at the time have ultimately allowed me to better support others, and that is something I’m very proud of.

What do you hope the next generation of women physicians will experience differently?

I hope the next generation of women physicians spends less time having to prove that they belong or justify the choices they make outside of medicine. I hope they experience true equity in pay, opportunities, leadership, and the way they are treated professionally. I also hope that choosing to have a family—or when to have one—is viewed as a normal part of life rather than something that calls a woman’s commitment to medicine into question.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not practicing medicine or teaching?

I love spending time with my family, especially when it involves traveling. I enjoy going somewhere new, having adventures together, and making memories with my husband and kids. Medicine and teaching are both important to me, but my family is what keeps everything in perspective.

September 18, 2026
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Get to “Gnome” Brigita B.

By Culture + Community

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!

September 1, 2026
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Get to “Gnome” Me: Roshni J.

By Culture + Community

Noorda-COM faculty, students, and staff are more than their job title or student status. They’re also parents, novelists; professional athletes–and the list goes on! That’s why we created “Get to Gnome Me”: to spotlight our campus members’ personalities, achievements, and lives beyond Noorda-COM. Today we’re spotlighting Roshni J., an (almost) fourth-year who loves spending time with her cat Oliver, cooking, and trying new foods.

If you scroll through my camera roll, you’ll find… my cat Oliver! He’s my pride and joy, and far more
photogenic than I am.

My favorite thing about third-year rotations has been… engaging with patients! I love talking through different diagnoses and preventative measures with patients so they can take on an active role in developing their care plan and feel empowered to lead healthier lives.

My mom has had the greatest impact on my life. I’d be lost without her sacrifices and endless
support.

A physician I admire is… Dr. Hekekia. She was one of the first faculty members I met at Noorda COM
and she even cooked the tastiest meal for us during our first semester! It has been so wonderful to have such a warm and talented female physician to turn to for advice through medical school and I’ll be forever grateful for her guidance.

Currently, I’m looking forward to… away rotations. I’m excited about the opportunity to explore a new
city for a while and interact with different patient populations–but I’m equally excited to try out
new places to eat!

I find life meaningful when… I get to visit my family and friends. Med school has been challenging and
spending time with my support system has definitely helped get me through the more rockier bits.

My favorite place on-campus is… the pods! The view of the mountains is the perfect study backdrop–they’re quite calming after a tough uWorld block.

My go-to wellness activity is… a good post-dinner walk. I love grabbing a good bite to eat and then
going on an evening stroll to stave off the food coma and get some steps in. Walking by the lake or
on a trail in the canyon are probably my go-to’s!

June 4, 2024
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Get to “Gnome” Me: Elle G.

By Culture + Community

Noorda-COM faculty, students, and staff are more than their job title or student status. They’re also parents, novelists; professional athletes–and the list goes on! That’s why we created “Get to Gnome Me”: to spotlight our campus members’ personalities, achievements, and lives beyond Noorda-COM. Kicking off our first feature is Elle G., a first-year interested in PM&R and sports medicine.

A core memory of mine is… earning a place on the U.S. Aerial Ski Team* (based in Park City, Utah) and competing on the full World Cup Circuit and World Championships Teams in 2015.

My favorite aspect of Grand Opening was… showing attendees of our gala how awesome our school is and being able to connect to people behind the scenes of Noorda-COM who make it possible for us to be here! Being a first-year, I saw a lot of things I haven’t been introduced to yet (like the simulation center), so it makes me excited for the future! But overall, it was so cool to see everyone come together and celebrate all the hard work that was put into our much needed school! 

My favorite place on campus is… pod 4026 with fellow students, specifically at night with a fake fireplace playing on the TV.

My first (memorable) experience with medicine was… my first day as a certified nursing assistant (CNA), I walked into a patient’s room so shy and nervous that I could barely get words out of my mouth. I very quickly realized that medicine is all about communication and patient connection.

If I haven’t texted you back in a while, I’m probably… out of service or taking a nice long nap.

If you scroll through my camera roll, you’ll find… a bunch of pictures of Ram’s** cat, Ham, and hundreds of screenshots of schoolwork so I can study on the go.

I’m most passionate about research surrounding… traumatic brain injury and concussion! I personally suffered for many years from countless brain injuries acquired from my sport and understand the effects it has on your quality of life! Healthy brain: happy life.

One thing I wish people knew about osteopathic medicine is… how beneficial OMM can be for some patients!

My motto for life is… “NEXT”. It started as an inside joke with my mom and I and now I say it to all situations in life.

My pod mates… keep med school fun. They make me laugh every single day while keeping me in line with studies by constantly quizzing me.

My go-to wellness activity is… getting outside! Whether it be skiing, camping, climbing, biking, I always feel better when outdoors.

*For those unfamiliar with aerial skiing, Elle provided the following explanation of her sport and background:

“Aerial skiing consists of skiing 35+ miles per hour straight off a 15-20 foot jump, propelling yourself 30-40 feet in the air while doing flips and twists of varying difficulty and hopefully landing on your feet on an inclined landing hill. In 2013, when I was 15, I was recruited to join the U.S. Elite Aerial Development Program where I lived, trained, and did online school full-time at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, New York with my coaches and 11 teammates. In the summer, we trained twice a day (not including 2 strength training and trampoline sessions) on water ramps, where we skied off of jumps made of plastic and landed into a pool of water instead of snow, giving us a safe place to progress our tricks for the winter.

During competition season, we traveled around the United States, Canada, and Europe competing in North American and European cups, which are a stepping stone into the official World Cup Circuit. Starting in 2015, at 17 years old, I competed on the full World Cup Circuit and World Championships Teams, traveling and flipping worldwide.

Through my years of aerial skiing, I was fortunate to have minimal injuries, however, my brain did not have the same durability as my body. After multiple traumatic brain injuries and concussions, I made the decision to step away from the sport to rebuild my cognitive and mental health. Without my career as an aerial skier, I would have never found my way to medicine.”

**Ram is a friend from Elle’s cohort and president of COM 2027.

March 25, 2024
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