From undergrad JAMP student to a fourth-year spent commuting between rotations, one med student picked the road less traveled

When she enrolled in the Joint Admission Medical Program as a sophomore at Texas A&M University, Marisa Byars Rosales wanted to be a pediatrician.  When she graduated with a degree in biomedical sciences in 2007, she wanted to be a pediatrician.  Even now as a fourth-year medical student at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Rosales is still right on track to becoming what she's always wanted to be. 

Like all participants in the Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP), Rosales, originally from Irving, Texas, was recruited as a highly qualified, economically disadvantaged student who desired to be a physician. JAMP then provided scholarships, mentoring and summer enrichment experiences to fulfill that desire.  Ultimately, participants who meet the academic requirements are guaranteed admission to one of the eight Texas medical schools, and for Rosales, the TAMHSC College of Medicine was her first choice.

"Since I was part of the JAMP program, I already knew some of the College of Medicine admissions staff and really liked them," she said.  "Beyond that, the small class size was perfect because it allowed me to connect with all my classmates."

During her first two years of medical school, Rosales participated in intramural volleyball; volunteered with Stand Tall Against Tobacco (STAT), a smoking cessation and education group; and participated in Health Circus, a student-run health fair for the underserved and uninsured population in the Brazos Valley.

Rosales' third year afforded her several opportunities for clinical rotations in different areas of the state including Temple and Waco.

"During my family medicine and pediatrics rotations, I worked in clinics in Waco with Dr. Wehmeyer and Dr. Ohr, and the staff at both clinics was great. They were really happy to be there," she said.  "The daily commute was totally worth it, and I'm so glad I got that assignment."

"During surgery rotation in Temple at Scott & White, I participated in an esophagectomy in which we removed a large part of the esophagus and brought the stomach into the patient's thorax," she remembered.  "The surgeon instructed me to reach into the patient's thorax, and I felt the heart beating against my arm!"

Now as she embarks on her fourth year, Rosales serves as class historian and editor of the Class of 2011 yearbook.  She is also co-president of the pediatric interest group and a member of Women in Medicine and the American Medical Association.

We caught up with Rosales on a rare afternoon off during a four-week pediatrics away rotation at a private practice in Dallas.  (Before that, she spent two weeks at a pediatric diabetes camp in Kerrville, Texas.)

As for her decision to pursue pediatrics, Rosales offers, "What made the decision for me was knowing that I would be happy every day working in pediatrics.  Ask anyone-I'm definitely a peds person!"  She added that teaching children how to have healthy lifestyles now and into adulthood is exciting and satisfying. 

For Rosales, having a personality suited to pediatrics and participating in outstanding rotations sealed the deal.

"Everything happens for a reason," she said.  "Especially during the first year of medical school, you ask yourself, ‘Am I supposed to be here?'  Now I know that everywhere you are, that's where you're supposed to be." 

Next up, Rosales' travelogue of fourth-year rotations will take her to a four-week acting internship (AI) in pediatrics at Phoenix Children's Hospital in Arizona. 

"Everyone has a different path," she concluded.  "In the end, I knew this is where I wanted to be."

To find out more about the Joint Admission Medical Program, contact the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine admissions staff at (979) 436-0237.