Atypical Premed: A Non-Traditional Student's Guide to Applying to Medical School

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations. Dr. Danielle Ward is currently a Plastic Surgery Resident Physician. She was previously an urgent care physician in Atlanta, Georgia and a former non-traditional student. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry (minor in chemistry) from Louisiana State University in 2009, a Master of Science degree in biochemistry from University of Saint Joseph in 2013, and her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - Georgia Campus in 2018. She then went on to complete a General Surgery Traditional Rotating Internship at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2019. Prior to working towards her medical degree, Dr. Ward took on a position as a full-time research associate at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine where she worked for four years. She was involved in research focused on parasitology and immunology related to Neglected Tropical Diseases, and it led to her being included in articles published in well-regarded journals such as Parasites & Vectors and the International Journal for Parasitology. While a full-time medical student, Dr. Ward balanced her time as a single mother to her elementary-aged daughter. Most notably, in 2016 she was the first osteopathic medical student to be elected as national president of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), and she went on to serve as the 2017-2018 SNMA National President. She also volunteered and managed to stay involved as a GA-PCOM Student Ambassador and with membership in various organizations. In 2013, Dr. Ward created the “Aspiring Minority Doctor” blog, which she actively maintains as documentation of her journey through medical school and beyond in addition to offering tips/advice to current pre-medical and medical students on similar paths. She has been featured on “Accepted.com”, “Medical School Headquarters”, the Journal of the Student National Medical Association (JSNMA), and in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Read more about this author Read less about this author Read more about this author Read less about this author