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Women in Medicine 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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Women in Medicine Month: Meet Dr. Lisa Saturnino!

By Culture + Community

Introducing Dr. Lisa Saturnino, faculty member at Noorda-COM!

What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine?

While I was an undergraduate studying chemical engineering, I had the opportunity to work as an intern at a plastics manufacturing plant. I noticed that some employees were not wearing appropriate safety equipment while working around pipes that leaked potentially carcinogenic chemicals. I found myself really concerned about their health and safety, and it sparked the idea that I wanted a career where I could have a more direct impact on people’s health and help prevent disease.

While finishing my chemical engineering degree, I started exploring medicine by volunteering at a nursing home and a local hospital. Through those experiences, I discovered how much I enjoyed connecting with people one-on-one and in small groups, and I decided to apply to medical school.

After medical school, I spent about 20 years as a full-time clinician. Eventually, I realized that something was missing and that I wanted teaching to be a bigger part of my career. My dad and stepmom were both teachers, so teaching had always been an interest of mine. I decided to earn a master’s degree in health professions education at the University of Utah, which ultimately helped lead me to where I am today—combining medicine and teaching.

Dr. Saturnino at Noorda-COM Commencement ceremony.

What are you most proud of in your journey as a woman in medicine?

My flexibility! My journey has taken me from chemical engineering to medicine, from rural family medicine to emergency and urgent care, and from sports medicine in a ski clinic to lifestyle medicine in a hospital wellness clinic. Along the way, I became a mother, earned my master’s in education, and eventually found my way to teaching at Noorda-COM.

What I have really loved about my career is that I have been able to choose the things I love to do along the way. When a new opportunity comes up—even if it seems a little out there or very different from what I am currently doing—I try to ask myself, “Does this fit with what I want to do at this point in my life?”

I feel incredibly lucky because right now I get to teach medical students at Noorda COM, practice lifestyle medicine, and still work in the ski clinics. I think what has worked for me is being willing to change directions and, at each stage of my life, ask, “What is going to work for me and my family?” Then I try to choose that path.

Dr. Saturnino with her family at a ski resort.

What advice would you give to women pursuing medicine?

I think one of the most important things for women in medicine is learning to take care of ourselves. We are responsible for filling our own buckets. If we care well for ourselves, then we have the capacity to provide better care for our patients and to be more present for the other important people in our lives.

I have also learned that I have to set boundaries because I cannot say yes to everything. For me, it helps to know what is most important and to say yes to the things that move me toward my “why” and what really matters to me.

As women, we often take on a lot outside of our jobs as well. I want to be a great mother, spouse, teacher, and doctor, but I have learned that I cannot do all of those things well if I say yes to everything. Sometimes taking care of ourselves and the people and things that matter most means being willing to say no.

“If we care well for ourselves, then we have the capacity to provide better care for our patients.”

Dr. Saturnino with her daughter.

What is something, outside of medicine, that you are passionate about?

My husband is French, our children are dual citizens, and one of my goals is to become a French citizen! I have been studying French off and on for about 15 years, and every couple of years, I attend a language school in France.

For me, learning French is something I do just for myself. In medicine, we spend so much of our time giving to other people, and I think it is important to remember to fuel our own interests and passions too. Studying French language and culture does that for me—and the trips to France are a bonus!

Dr. Saturnino at her school in France where she learns French.

September 15, 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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