Medical School: The Never-Ending Fight or Flight

Andrea Hartford is a third-year osteopathic medical student currently studying at AT Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona. “Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, I have always been encouraged by my family and others to raise the bar in my studies, which ultimately helped get me into medical school; it also pushed me to develop my appreciation of art, something that has helped keep me grounded on this crazy journey.”

“I started this drawing in my first year of medical school. At times, working on it was the only way I had of staying grounded during that life-changing and chaotic period. Unfortunately (though not surprisingly), the drawing went missing halfway through the year, so it remains forever a photograph of a half-completed piece. Though I’m sad it’s gone, I think that the drawing’s raw, glaringly unfinished status makes a statement of its own: The road to becoming a doctor is a never-ending act of endurance. At times it may make your heart race or make you want to run and hide, but ultimately it teaches you to stand your ground and do more than just survive.”