December 20, 2010
(last updated February 19, 2024) 
Happy Monday, CR readers!
For the last week or so, I’ve been making references to a “seismic life change” in the works, and a few of you have probably noticed Twitter allusions to my “last editorial meeting” or various “goodbye emails.” It should therefore come as no surprise to any of you to hear that tomorrow will be my last day as a book editor, my job for the past six years. Today, I thought I’d share what I’ll be doing instead.
As all of you know, I’ve worked for the last two years as a clinical nutritionist who specializes in plant-based food coaching. I’ve loved the work, and feel confident that I’ve helped at least a few of my clients—many of whom are regular CR readers and commenters—to take lasting steps toward a more balanced and informed relationship with food. Most of the work I do with clients is psychological in nature, but much of it is prescriptive, too: I try to help my clients understand what a balanced day of food looks like, what his or her caloric and nutritive needs are, and how to prepare, store, and create food that will serve those needs.
I love my work, but it has a lot of limitations. One of the most frustration limitations is that I can’t always address health issues that go beyond the parameter of nutrition. Why? Because I’m not a medical doctor, and I don’t have that kind of expertise. This means I’ve often had to turn away clients who were looking for an answer to diabetes, thyroid disorders, endocrine disorders, cancer treatment, reproductive disorders (like PCOS), and other illnesses. As much as I have a working familiarity with such conditions, I can’t really offer prescriptive advice on how to treat them; I just don’t have the expertise.
I’ve found over the last two years that forcing myself only to focus solely on food and nutrition is often frustrating; I hate turning down people in need because I don’t have the knowledge to help them get better. And since I see nutrition as part of the much larger picture of human health (and vice versa—human health depends completely on proper nutrition), it’s difficult for me to talk about diet without wanting to deepen the scope of my advice, and talk about health more broadly. In short, I love what I do, but I’ve come to suspect that I won’t long be satisfied with its built in limitations. And it’s time for me to change that.
In January, I’ll be embarking on a long, difficult, and exciting transition from food into medicine. I’ll be starting a post-baccalaureate degree at Columbia University (my alma mater!) in pre-med studies; this is what you have to do if you want to be a doctor, but were too busy studying 19th century novels and poetry as an undergrad to take any pre-med classes. And after about a year and a half of course work, a summer of MCAT studies, and a “glide year,” I’ll be starting medical school, and the long process of becoming a doctor.
The idea of med school actually occurred to me over a year and a half ago. I had heard a friend mention that her younger sister was doing a post-bacc to go to med school, and I felt a pang of jealousy. I’ve never in my life envied anyone else’s career, but for the next few days I suffered from a persistent case of “I wish”: I wish I were younger, so that I wouldn’t have to start med school at what is (comparatively speaking) a ripe old age of 28; I wish I had known that I’d want a career in health when I was younger, so that I could have taken premed classes as an undergrad; I wish I had money, so that I could take on the necessary debt.
In the end, I decided to start exploring less expensive and time-consuming options than med school. I looked into getting an R.D., and enrolled in some of the pre-reqs for that track at night. (If you’ve ever wondered why I tend to complain about being busy, it’s because, for six months, I’ve been taking organic chem, anatomy and physiology, and statistics at night, in addition to writing my blog and counseling.) But I kept bumping into the fact that a lot of my interest is in GI health and disease, not dietetics.
A few months ago, M asked me why I’d never thought about med school, and I told him that I had, but that I’d dismissed the idea because of my age, the amount of time it would demand, and the debt I’d incur. I was surprised to hear him say that he didn’t think any of those things should stop me from doing it. If I didn’t really want to be a doctor, or if I really did want to be a dietician, he argued, that would be good enough reason not to pursue it; if I were adverse to hard work or long hours, that would be another good reason. But of course I’m not. What scared me—what still scares me—were money and time. With M’s gentle encouragement, the support of my friends and parents, and some good old fashioned soul searching, I decided that I shouldn’t let either money or my age stop me from what could be the most rewarding pursuit of my life.
To say that I’m anything less than terrified would be a lie. I’m terrified of everything: the debt, the difficulty of the work; being thrown back into student life; studying the sciences, which don’t come naturally to me, rather than the humanities, which do; leaving an industry that has nurtured me; sleep deprivation; commitment to a thirteen year education; the prospect of trying to have and raise a child in my thirties as I also battle med school and residency; and oh, did I mention the debt? It all terrifies me, and on a bad night lately it’s not unheard of for me to anxiously send out a desperate text message or email to a friend or two, asking him or her to remind me why I’m doing what I’m doing. (And they always do—thanks guys.) I’m so, so scared of what lies ahead.
But of course, I also know that this is a meaningful and exciting decision—probably the most daring I’ve ever made—and that if I can achieve even a small fraction of what I’d like to achieve with this education, it will have been worth every dollar and every hour of memorization, clinical rotation, and sleep deprivation.
What do I hope to achieve? First and most obviously, I’d like to help people who are sick or suffering to feel better, and—when I can—help them to actually get better. I’d like to place an emphasis on preventative care through diet and lifestyle. Finally, and most obviously, I hope to devote my entire career in medicine—whatever that may be—to fostering a mainstream, medical understanding of veganism. I’ve been lucky always to find doctors who supported my veganism (in part because I’m proactive in seeking them out), but I know others who haven’t been as lucky. Until more doctors are educated about veganism, there will remain a skepticism about vegan diets within the medical establishment. I want to help break this cycle, not only by using my education and knowledge to help patients who are interested transition responsibly into plant-based diets, but also by sharing my passion for veganism and my confidence in its benefits with other medical professionals.
In short, I want to bring my understanding of the vegan diet to medicine, and an understanding of medicine to my work as a vegan.
This means leaving my career as an editor behind, which makes me sadder and more conflicted than I can say. Many bloggers have written about how blogging helped them to ditch desk jobs they hated and pursue their true passions. This isn’t one of those stories. Tomorrow or later this week, I plan on writing a longer elaboration on my feelings about the publishing industry and what it means to leave it behind. But for now I’ll say that my life in publishing introduced me to some of the smartest and best people I will ever know, kept me intellectually challenged at every turn, taught me innumerable life lessons, and was in every way a worthy experience. I’m not trading a job I hate for one I love; I’m leaving behind a job I love very much for another job that I also love, but that feels more urgent to me right now.
I’m sure that many of you have questions about what this means for me and for CR. For example, will I still be blogging? Yes! I cannot wait to begin chronicling my adventures as a literary woman who’s been thrust into the world of science; to talk about the things I learn about the human body and its workings; to write about the turbulent intersections between mainstream medicine and traditional, holistic beliefs; and, most importantly, to write about what it means to be a vegan advocate within the medical establishment. CR isn’t going anywhere; in fact, one of the nice things about life as a student (as opposed to life as a student and a full time book editor) will be a little extra time to devote to my blog each day. I’ve never before had the time to make this blog a daily chronicle of my life; it’s intimate, but I’m not a diarist. Hopefully, life as a pre-med student and med student will grant me at least some time to reflect on daily experience—and to cook a lot of delicious food.
What about my counseling practice? For now, I’m sorry to say that I can’t take on any more clients. I wish I could, but school is going to devour my time–and that’s as it should be as I work toward this goal. Keep checking back, because I WILL take clients during my gap year!
Finally, you may be wondering what I intend to specialize in? Thankfully, I have quite a bit of time in which to figure that out. I could conceivably fall in love with neurosurgery or orthopedics alike. But I suspect strongly that my interest will in gastroenterology, for pretty obvious reasons. No matter what, nutritional counseling will be a significant part of what I do.
Right now, on the eve of my departure from FSG, I feel the predictable mix of emotions: fear, anxiety, excitement, exhilaration, and inspiration. Most of all, I feel gratitude to the people in my life who encouraged me not to shy away from this path because of the hardship involved (M, even with the ramen noodle and dumpster diving jokes, that means you). And I feel grateful for you, my blog readers, who have kept my interest in health so alive in the two years I’ve been writing CR. When I began blogging, I had no idea that health care would become, along with reading and writing, the defining passion of my life. You helped me to realize that, by stirring up long and fascinating conversations about health, by sharing your own healing journeys with me via comments and email, and by cheering me on as I broke into the nutrition field. Thank you for that. I hope I can ask you for the same kind of encouragement and support as I begin this challenging process. And hey: if any of my physician, med student, or post-bacc readers have (non-scary) advice to share with me, I’m all ears!
Thanks for letting me share the news, guys. It was hard to keep it under wraps in the last two months, and now that I’ve said the words aloud, I can’t wait to keep you involved with everything that lies ahead. I’ll be back throughout the coming week with more reflections on the end of this era of my professional life, some recipes, and some holiday cheer.
xo
P.S. Columbia students! I’m about to join your ranks (again). If anyone’s interested in a meetup this winter once I’m settled, holler, and I’ll get around to setting it up.
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Gena! I read your plans, thrilled the whole way through. It took me a while to check your blog as I’ve been very busy myself, working at my hospital. I’m a doctor, a nephrologist, and started med school at 22; the description of envy when hearing about someone else in medicine was my little voice as well. I knew it before I knew it. I tossed and turned and wondered and pondered all of the same things that you talked about in this post. I listened to the little voice finally- I had no choice. I have always felt in my heart and bones that this was the only job on earth that could love so much. Even on my worst day, I never regretted my decision. It is the most amazing job, it is the humankind partaking of the divine. I can tell you that I think you’re making an excellent choice too. What I know about you from reading your blog for several months makes ME want to write you a letter of recommendation for med school- I think you will be a superb student/resident/physician. You already possess so many of the qualities patients need in a doctor- intelligence, communication skills, poise, tact, work ethic, attention to detail, grace.
You are the perfect age to do this. For one thing, if you go in to medicine too young, you don’t have the wherewithall to talk to people grappling with the most difficult vulnerable experiences that life can bring. You don’t know about empathy, even if you think you do. You have to fake it, and it is one of those times that people know they’re being faked with. Another thing is that if you’re too young, you pine for your freedom. If you’ve already had a big life, you can be done with all of that for a while. You won’t be pining to rave all night. And as for children, plenty of people have kids in residency, even medical school. I’d recommend having them in residency myself, but for a great read, try Perri Klass’s “A Not Entirely Benign Procedure: Four Years as a Medical Student”
I often tell people that food is their medicine. I believe it. Obviously, I am in the business of internal medicine and kidney disease; I prescribe a lot of meds. But I am all about all of the angles. I know that a banana has 1 mEq of potassium per inch. Why take a potassium pill when you can have an equivalent dose of banana each day? I watched the trailer to Crazy Sexy Cancer (mainly because a friend of mine called me up frantically telling me that I look exactly like Kris Carr) and when Kris waved her arm at the Whole Foods vegetable display and cried “My pharmacy!” it rang true.
Anyway dear Gena I could go on for a while here but truly do need to return to the dialysis unit and didn’t expect to type it up for so long. I am so thrilled for you, I really didn’t expect this news or to be so happy for you, but I am, and I wish you the very best.
I have no words to thank you for this comment. Truly. You give me so much strength!
Brand new to your blog and just wanted to say congratulations! I love to hear stories like this. It is absolutely never too late. I became a nurse at 32 and now nearly 5 years later it was the best decision I ever made. I just wanted to wish you luck. From the little bit that I’ve read of your blog so far I suspect you will make a terrific doctor. All the best to you.
Congrats! I’m super behind in my google reader, but I just have to say I”M SO EXCITED! I’m actually just going back to school for a second degree program to BECOME A NURSE. I went from being a Communications major to being totally fascinated with health care. I’m starting UNC’s ABSN progrm on January 10th and I can hardly wait. I’m so looking forward to following along on your journey!
Awesome! Good luck with your studies!
This is rather belated, but I wanted to congratulate you on your decision! I’m sure you’ll have many of those “what am I doing!?!” moments. I know I do! But you know you’ve made the right choice, and we’re all going to be cheering you on during your studies!
i dont know why it took me so long to comment here, but as you know, i am 100% behind you and sooo thrilled to have a fellow well educated vegan joining the medical ranks. people like you are who we need to bring some change up in here. i realize plant based diets are only the tip of the iceberg, though, and i am just elated that you are so excited about your new career move. xxx
Hi Gena,
Congrats on the career change! I am a registered dietitian with a masters degree and have been reading and enjoying your blog for about a year. I wanted to say how impressed I am with your writing, recipes and quality of the nutrition topics you post on your blog.
As someone who works closely with physicians in a research setting, I feel we need more nutrition focused and open-minded doctors. You will be a much needed and refreshing addition to the medical community! I will definitely be cheering you on!!
Lauren
good for you!
Just make sure this is the right decision for you now and in the future.
Pre-med courses are very hard and they take up a huge chunk of your social life
A doctors life is very hard. My entire family are doctors and they never stop working
Its hard but people do it all the time, just make sure you weigh all your options (8 years of schooling not including residency is not fun).
Good luck with whatever you decide to do
Congrats Gena – I’m so excited for you. I’ve considered changing careers and it’s definitely terrifying but I think it would be worth it!! Best of luck on your new journey.
Wow…..good for you! Sometimes I think about changing careers too. I’m probably older than you so for me, it’s not as feasible. Right now, just thinking about moving sideways into another department of the music business. Good luck to you!! You’re amazing…and I’m so glad you want to bring knowledge of veganism to the world of doctors 🙂
My dad is a doc, and teaches at Upenn med school. He often teaches residents much older than you, so don’t fret about being *gasp* 28!
Speaking of doctor, did you know raw expert Dr. Gabriel Cousens attended Columbia Medical school? I bet he’d love to chat about the experience with you if you were ever interested. E-mail me sarah@treeoflife.nu if you ever care to get in touch about this subject.
Love,
Sarah
So excited for you! I definitely agree…there are lots of avenues open only to those with a doctor’s credential. Does Columbia have a focus on holistic nutrition? I am sure your classmates will learn a lot from you, regardless of the type of program!
There’s nothing more inspirational to me than someone who chooses to take a giant leap in the direction of her dreams…that is something that we’ve definitely lost in today’s society, something for us all to strive toward.
Congrats and best wishes!
Congratulations! That sounds great.
From my understanding, I think that nurses get to be much more personal, and more preventative than doctors are, so maybe you should consider nursing as another option!
Gena, Wow – amazing decision. I admire your courage to follow your heart. I wish you the best.
How inspiring! Good luck to you. I just left my job in media relations and communications to pursue holistic nutrition, so your post really resonated with me. What a huge undertaking – it’s very scary to change your life in such a big way, but what you’re doing sounds very exciting. Congratulations!
Hi, I’m a long-time reader but this is my first time commenting. I just wanted to wish you the best of luck with your career change. I am thrilled to have a person like you become a health care profession, and am excited to support your journey via the blog. Best of luck!
CONGRATS!!!!!!!
SO EXCITING!!!!
<3
Gena, The world will be so lucky to have you as a doctor. I admire your commitment to service, truth, and following your heart.
Best wishes moving forward. I know you will kick ass!
Your contributions will be such a gift to the vegan community and far beyond. I feel like I just witnessed some kind of historic moment.. Anywho, “May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face.” 🙂
Hi Sweetie,
I am so glad you are going forth bravely! As the old quote goes, Go Confidently in the Direction of Your Dreams, Live the Life You Imagined.
xoxoxo
Dinner soon?????
This post makes me happier than anything I’ve read in days. I am so used to thinking of health as a spectrum, with dismissive doctors at one end and your holistic approach at the other. I have never approached a doctor about my digestive issues, because I don’t trust them, and I’ve managed to heal myself with a balanced vegan diet. The fact that you are becoming a doctor is, in my mind, a BOON for the profession as whole.
Congratulations Gena! As a vegan 31 year old, 4th year medical student applying for residency in orthopedics, I can sympathize with your fears! And I can tell you that the sacrifices you make to pursue a path such as this one are well worth it. I entered an MD/PhD program 8.5 years ago, with the goal of a career in academic medical research. However, I surprised myself in finding that I absolutely loved interacting with patients. 9 years after embarking on this path, I will finally be graduating and beginning another chapter on the road to an academic clinician. I am so excited to follow along with you in this new career path. And when you’re finished, would you be my doctor? I have yet to find one who understands my mostly raw, vegan diet! Best of luck to you!
Charlotte
Hi Gena!
I don’t usually post comments but this is definitely a special occasion 😛
I just wanted to say that your blog is of enormous value to me 🙂 and I wish you the best of luck on your new pathway!! Whatever you do- please don’t stop blogging hehe 🙂
– Emma
I’ve been following your blog for quite a while and have really enjoyed it, not to mention been very impressed with your passion and dedication. The medical field needs more doctors like you will be, who know how important nutrition is to good health. God bless you in future endeavors. You are going to be an awesome doctor!
I decided to go back to school and get my PhD at 28 so I can relate to your decision. Congratulations! Both my brother and sister-in-law are doctors, so I can unofficially welcome you to the club. Looking forward to the development of your blog and all of the new intellectual discoveries you will be making. I am always telling my brother and his wife about how crucial a plant-based diet is for the treatment of so many medical conditions, but they are a bit resistant. For some reason, scientists love their facts and absolutes. Anyway, I hope that your presence in the field will begin to change those types of attitudes. Best of luck to you, happy holidays and happy new year!
This is amazing news!!!!!!!!!!! I’m SO excited for you! Awesome, seriously. Well done, congratulations, you”ll be a wonderful doctor.
Whilst I’m not studying to be a doctor, going back to do nursing has been amazing and challenging. And, like you, humanities come more naturally to me than sciences but i’ve loved studying them both. Wow, so exciting. You’ll love it.
Thanks again for all your support and time. I really appreciate it and you’ve helped me immensely. I’m definitely turning a corner and putting a lot of issues further behind me 🙂
Merry Christmas, lovely Gena! xxx
I am so excited for you, Gena! When I first was introduced to your blog, I used to wish you were a medical doctor. Your insight, compassion, and personality is what patients need! I am a second-year medical student, and I could not imagine being anywhere else! It is all about PASSION. I truly believe this.
I am just brimming with excitement for you, and I have never even met you. 😉
You have inspired me to become a vegan at the beginning of my 2nd year. I practice the mantra “Progress, not perfection”. My favorite posts are your ethical and nutritional discussions because they allow me to keep questioning and refining my personal beliefs.
I wish there was someone to guide me as a vegan through medical school. I am not as vocal as you are as I am still learning a lot. It hurts me to see things like the recommendations for dairy and notice the absence of diet as a possible etiology for illness.
Please contact me if you ever want to chat! I’m looking forward to watching you pursue your dreams. Wishing you the best, Gena! 🙂
Hey Gena,
I am an occasional reader and a med student! I am so excited for you and your journey! I think you have a lot to offer the medical community. If you have any questions or need any help don’t be afraid to email me. I not too recently was in your shoes and I know how scary (but fun) it can be!
Best of luck to you 🙂
Sarah
from beginning to end u had me glued to ur words 🙂 im currently experiencing something very simlilar only in a different field – im going into nutrition after years of putting it off due to time and money. i wish u all the best in ur new endevour – and a merry xmas!
I’m so happy for you 🙂 As many have said, inspiring as always.
Gena, first of all, congratulations girl on jumping and waiting for the net to appear! Even though you have expressed your hesitation due to your age and what is involved with taking on this new path (plus I am certain the decision was made more difficult because of your love of publishing) you are the 6th person I know to take on board the decision to study medicine, mature age. 1 has already completed his studies, at 42 he is now practicing as a GP, working on his specialty, the other 5 ARE women which hopes and desires to also start families down the track and are still in process with their studies. They, too, had previous lives and careers, and although not easy, have absolutely no regrets for the path that they have chosen. In my opinion and in their counsellor’s opinions, people with more life experience prior to studying medicine, have a higher success rate and a lower drop out rate, plus are able to bring something else to the table when they are finally practicing. I really think, studying medicine straight out of school, just isn’t the wisest choice for most students and their future patients, and I really hope the people who govern scholarships and funding (I’m Aussie so not sure how it works over there) start to realise that if they do not already. Wow this path is going to be so rewarding, although challenging at times, but I am eager to follow your progress on this life-changing moment Gena. Go girl! We are all behind you, every step of the way!
Gena I am so excited for you… and even more excited for all your future patients! You are absolutely cut out for med school, to the very core. My 1st year med school roommate last year studied very hard but also found ample time for cooking and partying. I lol-ed at your thinking you would have more time to blog and consult as a med student than before, but I think you are completely accurate in that assessment given the insane schedule you’ve been juggling. I’ve seen you itching at the limitations of your knowledge, and I think you are absolutely right that you’ll be able to achieve your goals much more richly with an MD. I held the med school option open through undergrad but ultimately remained too squeamish and concerned about my stamina. Now that I have an amazing naturopath (I think their quality varies greatly, but mine is magic, and has numerous MD clients of her own), I’ve flirted with the idea on an ND from Bastyr. Unlikely, but fun to think about.
I am SOOO looking forward to your posts as your education advances and you begin to be more able to critically evaluate mainstream medical practice vs holistic nutrition and values (where they collide, that is, which I know they don’t always). I know you’ll make an impact, but it’s a long road. Lucky for you, you bring a lot of ‘clinical’ experience of a nutritional kind, and you’ll be able to question and dialog right away.
If you had gone right from undergrad, you wouldn’t have the experience and vision you have now that sets you apart and that will make your contribution to medicine unique. There are trade-offs in everything we do, and while you’re starting later you have so much you gained from that.
Anyway, inspiring as always, and totally excited for you!!
I am 32 and going thru a few “I wish I had known this when I was in undergrad” or “I wish i was younger so I could….” And lately, I have been wishing less and putting a plan into action. The world is your oyester honey and you will be amazing!
We need more people like you! I recently figured out that the reason my cholesterol was so high was due to the healthy food I was eating that wasn’t healthy for my body. Doctors just say to eat healthier but what does that mean? I was eating healthy. Just not healthy for what my body needed. I wish you the best and know you will have an impact on many people’s lives.
i love this. as an, i suppose, former vegan who has suffered from various medical conditions and been told time and again that i’m physiologically incapable of utilizing protein from strictly plant sources (note: no one has suggested that all humans are, just me) and further need to take medication that lists pig hearts as an ingredient, i can certainly see the value of studying medicine while holding vegan principles and values. i look forward to reading about your studies and wish you all the best.
ps – as a nontraditional student, i promise you, it’s not so bad! i honestly feel it’s a better environment, as rarely do you find keg partiers in the classroom distracting from academic rigor
Just wanted to add my best wishes and congratulations! I’m very excited to read about your medical school adventures. Thanks for sharing with us, now and in the future.
Congratulations on embarking on the path to following your dream!! You will make an amazing doctor and I’m inspired by your drive and bravery. Look forward to following your journey!
Hooray!! I’m sure I wasn’t the only reader who was anxious about the big life-changing reveal– so happy to hear that it’s such a positive and fulfilling change! Your classmates and patients are going to be so fortunate to have you in their corner; you’re so curious, compassionate and knowledgeable– you will make the ideal student and physician!
Oh, and can’t wait for the day when you can edit your Disclaimer at the bottom of your blog… “I am in fact a medical doctor.” 😉 Congratulations again, Gena!
gaaaaaaaaah I’m SO excited for you and the world who will enjoy the benefits of your wisdom and perspective!! What a positive thing to do for your community. If I ever move to Brooklyn over the next 10 yrs, I’m looking you up to be my M.D.!!
Best wishes … I know you can do it! 🙂
Katie
Good luck with everything! Change is scary but sometimes necessary to follow your dreams. Things worth having aren’t easy achieving. I’m so excited for you!!
Wow Gena, congrats on making such a huge and wonderful decision! I love where you are coming from and I think that your presence in the medical community will do many great things for health and veganism. Best of luck on your newest venture, and can’t wait to read all about it here 🙂
Congrats on making this decision and moving forward with your life! I can’t wait to keep up with your med school journey!
CONGRATULATIONS Gena!!!! I was getting a little bit of goosebumps while reading this post.. I’m so excited for you : ) Good luck!!
congratulations Gena! I’m sure you’ll thrive as a new student. your dedication to this blog on top of everything else you accomplish in life is inspiring 🙂
Wow – such exciting news! Can’t wait to read more about this exciting journey.
Wow Gena, soooooo happy for you. May many blessings find you in your new path! Biig hug!
Hooray! I’m a loyal reader who admires your writing, your vegan perspective and your deep knowledge of diet and health. I’ve also shared your envy of friends in the medical field for years! (I’m a professional musician by trade, but am deeply interested in treatment and patient care for Type 1 diabetes.) I think your leap of faith is an absolutely wonderful idea, and I wish I had done it ten years ago. WE NEED medical professionals who understand holistic health, nutritional counseling and veganism! Best of luck to you in your journey.
Holy moly, Gena! Congrats! I am so proud of you!
Gena, I am so happy to read this!!!! We need more vegan advocates in medicine! I’m just finishing up my last year in med school at Penn and applying in Family Practice, with the goal of focusing on lifestyle change and prevention… so I am sure we will be working together one day!
Hope to cross paths with you at some point soon!
Christina
PS I will be in New York city for the month of February interning at The Dr. Oz Show so maybe will run into you then!
Congrats on making an amazing decision! I commend you on taking a true leap of faith, and M definitely sounds like a keeper. 🙂
Congrats and good luck on your new journey! 🙂
Very interesting choice!!! I am pretty surprised, but super excited to read about your journey. There are a lot of great medical and nursing bloggers out there, so do a search:) As an ICU RN, I can tell you that you have a long, long road ahead of you, but if you play your cards right, then it will be a meaningful career with lots and lots and lots of hours devoted to your career:)
Good luck Gena! It’s inspiring to hear that you really went with your gut feeling and made the choice to go back to school. I’m sure you’ll kick butt! Can’t wait to hear all about it :).
How exciting! Congrats!
I love this blog as it is.. but I think it’s going to get even better with everything you are going to learn! I can’t wait..
What you are planning to do is super important and I’m really happy you are doing it. The world needs more doctors with your knowledge and insight.
Too bad you don’t live in sweden though, here people are a lot older when they start college. And it’s FREE too!
Very very exciting Gena! I admire you so much and think you will be brilliant at whatever path you choose…but being a doctor? Thats a natural fit! Well done and I cannot wait to hear about all your adventures, and will follow your journey avidly!
That is so exciting. All the best. It sounds like a great fit and you’re in a good place in life to embark on this journey.
Oh wow! Congratulations, Gena! This is a breathtakingly strong and brave decision to make, and it is just absolutely inspiring how true you are to pursuing your dreams! 🙂
Best of luck for your new endeavors!!!
Wow, Gena, this is very exciting indeed. I have been eagerly anticipating your announcement of what you plan to do and had no idea that it would be this. Fear is a funny thing and I am a big believer that the things we fear (clean fear, of course)are the very things we need to be doing.
I will be very interested to see how all of this plays out for you.
Congratulations! I am a true believer in following your dreams. It is rewarding, change is exciting and the end result clearly looks obvious in your case.
I have been a life long learner my whole life. Some people think I am crazy, wondering what I see in going after different degrees. I am just an enthusiastic learner and I am happiest when I have a goal – however long it takes to get there.
Good luck. I enjoy your blog very much and look forward to reading about your journey.
As an aside, one of the greatest women I ever knew who had never had the opportunity to get an education, decided at the age of 50 years old to get started. At the age of 57 she became a teacher! She spent 13 years doing something she loved every single day. She said they were the happiest and most fulfilling of her life. Take care
Congratulations Gena! I’ve never commented before but felt moved to after reading this post. I am really impressed by your desire to combine the best of natural and evidence-based medicine. I hope that the rigours of the years of study to come and the healthcare system in the US don’t make this too difficult to achieve! I look forward to reading your future posts.
wow Gina it must have felt like a huge relief to share this with all of us :). Initially it seemed like you had no fears or anxiety whatsoever, but it’s good to hear that even Superwoman has those feelings from time to time ;).
I am studying to be an RD and in a lot of my classes I have to cringe at dietetics teachers (no less…) talk about the necessity of medicine all the time. I want to scream ‘for crying out load we’re nutrition students, ever thought about preventative ‘medicine”? It’s good to see like-minded people, and I have no doubt you will cause a good deal of change in the field.
Wow Gena I’m absolutely stunned!!! you are so brave, I wish you the best of lucks 🙂
This is great! Congratulations to you! It will be a long journey but it will be worth it. The things we want most out of life are always worth it : )
Congratulations!
You will be a superb doctor, and in the meantime have somehow become more of an inspiration than you already were!
Fantastic, I am so happy for you 🙂
I am so proud of and happy for you, Gena. You are going into this with eyes wide open, and for all the right reasons. I think you’ll do amazingly well. Sure, you will stumble along the way, but that’s an important part of the path. How else do we learn except by making mistakes? I think you’ll make a compassionate, talented and honorable physician, and I plan to stick with you as long as Choosing Raw exists.
(If I may, I want to cast a vote for you as a family practice doctor. There is a severe shortage of them in this country, and we desperately need competent, level-headed people like you to go into that specialty.)
My very best wishes and love to you, dear Gena. You’re going to shine.
Gena, that’s amazing! Congratulations on your courage and determination to follow your heart. I look forward to reading about your adventures as a pre-med and med student. Good luck, and keep up the good work. I’m sure you’ll be exactly the kind of doctor we all wish we had.
Gena-
Congratulations on your new journey!
WOW is all I have to say. My goodness, what a genuine and strong post telling an amazing decision of yours. I have no doubt you’ll get through medical school with no problem and someday make an amazing physician. Especially with a past eating disorder and extensive knowledge in nutrition, you’ll make one understanding and knowledgable doctor!
By the way, you TOTALLY make me want to fulfill my dreams of being an MD someday 🙂
Hey Gena;
I think that it is amazing that you are following your pang of jealousy. Most people would not have the guts to do that. I also feel that you having studied the arts first, taught you critical thought, deep questioning and the ability to see beyond what is obvious. All of which are skills that will make you an amazing doctor. Also, the fact that you have lived life a little will be sending you back to school with deeper insight into yourself and what you want, as well as realistic ideas, drive, determination and a knowledge of what the real world is like. Everything that you have done up to this point are going to be things that will make you a more successful student, and a more open, intuitive inquisitive, driven focused and compassionate doctor. And the world could for sure use more of those. And you are going to live the next thirteen years of your life anyways, right? You may as well become a doctor in the time! Take each step, one at a time. Appreciate each and every moment of this next part of your journey, which I am sure you will. I am sure you will be changed astronomically in this next time, enjoy the metamorphosis, and know that “this to shall pass.” Keep a post it in your wallet about why you are doing this, for when times get hard. You are amazing and you can do it!
Gena, congratulations! How incredibly exciting. Your desire to follow after your passions is truly inspiring. Funny enough, I made a parallel but opposite decision last year — to drop my pre-med major and pursue an English degree 🙂 Pre-med wasn’t for me, but I had a hard time dealing with the idea that “professional bookworm” isn’t exactly a job title many people have. However, I’m so happy now that I’ve followed my passions — and I know you will be too! Best of luck!
Wow Gena! Your news really struck a chord with me as your situation very much mirrors mine. I spent my twenties studying language and literature and after graduating I realized that what I truly wanted was a career in medicine and I came across the same stumbling blocks: age (I’m now 30), money (still have previous student loans) etc. While I have not done anything to change my own situation so far, what an inspiration to read that you will be embarking on this journey toward a very admirable goal. Best wishes! xx
What an exciting new journey!!! One of my dear friends attends Columbia. Your story almost parallels my Aunts. I don’t know what age you are right now but, I think it’s safe to say you aren’t in your 40’s, like my Aunt was when she went to med school back in the 70’s, in New York, and I believe it was at Columbia!!!
Where there’s a will there’s a way, and age is just a number. You can do it! Congratulations Gena! I wish you all the best.
Gena, I applaud you for being willing to jump into something new out of pure passion for the subject matter. I wish you the best of luck in your new endeavors!
Congratulations on your exciting new endeavor! After 8 years as a writer in the non-profit sector, I gave it up last summer to accept a teaching position. I had always felt the desire to serve students in the classroom, but worried that at age 30, I was too old. Despite the change of location, salary, and work schedule – I couldn’t be happier. It’s good to mix things up – at any age. Best of luck to you!
congrats on the decision, though tough, sounds like you are so happy about this transition and I applaud you!!!
Yay med school!!! Congrats! While I took a more traditional route here (only 24 and a 3rd year), I can appreciate the strength it will take to get to your intended endpoint. Medical school has at once been one of the most challenging and remarkable experiences of my life. And even though I’m exhausted (thanks surgery clerkship for making my hours 4a-9p…) I’m terribly excited and don’t regret a moment. Welcome to the party!
Hey sweetie! I recognized you right away from other smart comments on ED recovery, science, and medicine. So happy to hear your supportive words, and thanks for cheering on an old geezer like me 🙂
You’re not alone! One of my classmates is in his mid-thirties with twins!! I’ve mentored undergrads and underclassmen med students for years, and I’ll be taking a nice “break” next year to get an MBA so if you ever need any help/advice/motivation, you know how to find me!
I do indeed have your email, missy. Thanks so much. I’m sure I’ll be harassing you soon.
How exciting! I am so happy for you! My husband is an MD and currently a 2nd year resident. I’ve been with him the entire journey so I am very familiar with the commitment it requires and know how huge of a decision this was for you. Surprisingly, a good portion of people we’ve met over the years during med school and now in residency didn’t go straight from college to med school. My husband is the youngest is his entire residency program (28) because I believe he is the only person that did.
Anyway, congratulations! I’m thrilled to follow along in your adventures and know you will make an amazing doctor!
Gena, I think this is amazing. I’m so heartened to hear your story and wish an integrative MD with a nutrition bent was available to help two members of my family now.
I’m actually glad you’re not choosing the naturopathic route–even though, of course, it’s not my business :). I think the bridge between ‘Western’ medicine and more holistic approaches needs to be built by inquisitive, broad minded and rigorous MDs. You have all of those traits, Gena, and I’m sure will bring together the best of both modalities.
Good luck to you this January, Gena!
I’m so proud of you, my dear! I mourn the loss of you as my best and most brilliant editor, but the knowledge that our friendship will continue as ever is all that really matters.
Much love,
Katie
Hello! Longtime reader / lurker, but had to stop by and offer a great big WAY TO GO and CONGRATULATIONS!
I went back to school at 27 (albeit for a traditional mid-career MBA). It was the BEST DECISION EVER. There’s nothing better to sustain your passion than to surround yourself with other smart, passionate, risk-taking folks. I found them in my master’s program and you’ll find them in your post-bac program and in med school. Sincere congratulations on a bold and exciting choice.
All the best!
We definitely need more holistic doctors so GO GENA!! Don’t worry about anything. It will all be alright because you are such an amazing woman attracting nothing but the best!
Gena,
I am a long-time reader, seldom comment-er and a fourth year medical student at Columbia. I am so excited to have you join the ranks! I have so much to add… first of all, I have many classmates who started in their 30s and above – several even with children, and PhDs in entirely unrelated subjects. It is never to late to pursue your passion. Second of all, we in the world of MDs need people like you who are ambitious and smart enough to change the field from within. Kudos to you for going for it.
Please feel free to email if you ever need advice or a vent session, and definitely if you put together a meet-up! Medical school is a long road that will test you in ways you didn’t know possible, but is ultimately so rewarding.
Best,
Jenny
Jen!
Wow, thanks. You have no idea how much this means to me. I’m excited to have a friend at CU med school, and I hope you’ll let me invite you over for a meal sometime so that we can say hello and you can share some of your wisdom with me. I’ll let you know when I’m settled up there.
In the meantime, hearing your obvious enthusiasm is just what I need right now, and I thank you for chiming in. Seriously–thanks.
G
Wow! Congratulations on your new journey. I wish you the best.
Gena, congratulations! Your passion and determination to heal and teach others will be your rock throughout this process! Your announcement is such an inspiration to me, as I’m currently considering a major career shift from marketing to holistic nutrition. I’m dealing with similar anxious feelings and it’s nice to see that you’re going after it because you’re passionate about it and you know you’ll succeed. Can’t wait to read along throughout your journey. And again – congrats on the decision!
Wow such a big change! But I’m sure you’re going to do well. The medical community needs more open-minded, passionate people like you! Good luck Gena!
Hi Gena! I’ve been an avid reader of CR but have never posted a comment. I just had to say that your decision to go to med school is incredible and inspiring. I actually just returned to school at the age of 25 to study epidemiology after having a similar realization regarding my passion and the direction I’d like to go in. Just from being on a campus surrounded by med students (and knowing a few), I can tell you that it is going to be tough but I know you’ll do well! To be honest, it blows me away that you were able to take organic chem, stats, and a & p at the SAME time!!
I wish you all the best in the new year and look forward to future blogs! 🙂
Thanks Jen! How inspiring to hear you’re doing something similar!
This is so exciting!! I can’t imagine how scary this transition must be for you but I am confident it will pay off in the long run!!
Wow, this is exciting news. Good luck on this awesome journey! But you’re gonna rock it! Congrats!
Congratulations, Gena! I’ve actually contemplated med school myself and I’m thrilled that you took the leap! It’s wonderful that you’re challenging yourself and following your heart and I know you have an excellent support system.
Gena, you are, as always, an inspiration. Congratulations of having the courage to choose the tougher path and follow your dream!
I’m really excited to see how you incorporate your vast knowledge of food, nutrition, veganism, and alternative remedies into a medical career; partly because that’s in large part what I hope to do. I just finished my first semester of medical school and I LOVE it. It was crazy busy, stressful, and amazing all at once. I love all the material; I love understanding the inner workings of our incredible bodies. But I’m also finding myself wanting to do more than traditional medicine; I want to find a way to integrate other aspects of health promotion into my practice. I’ve been vegan for almost two years now, thanks in large part to your blog, and I am a huge proponent of the effects that nutrition, exercise, meditation, and spirituality have on our health. I would love to find a way to be an advocate for that kind of integrative medicine, and to share with the world all the benefits of veganism that I’m experiencing.
In short, I can’t wait to see how you do it, because I’m looking for something very similar. Sorry for the essay-comment, and again, congratulations and welcome to the world of medicine! Your’e going to love it!!
YAY! Katie, thank you thank you. It’s really inspiring to read this, and I think we’ll have a lot to teach each other — I can tell you more about what I plan to do, and you can certainly prep me for the challenges ahead. My email’s gena@thefullhelping.com, and as soon as I’m settled in January, we should trade some thoughts 🙂
Sounds great! I’d love to chat more with you!
I am over-the-moon happy for you, Gena!
You are such a superstar, and I just know you are going be a find wild success in med school and beyond. You are just the person to make a huge impact in the medical community and with the general public. Most importantly, you are following your heart and passion, and that is always the right path in life. You are one brave and brilliant woman.
I wish you all the very best, and I am so excited that you’ve invited us to go along on this journey with you!
WOW. You are amazing and will be a great doctor! I am experiencing similar feelings- after completing my undergrad in the liberal arts (sociology & women’s studies) I am intending to pursue a master’s in Nutrition to become an RD, and am facing a bunch of science pre-reqs. I’m super anxious about this decision, too, and it feels daunting to launch back into another 3+ years of school, but I have my heart and head set on it, as it seems you do with your decision. Congrats on your new journey!
WOW!! I am soooo happy for you. I think you are so wise to just do it, even with your reservations.
One of my very best friends is on a similar path. She had her kids young ( they are 14 and 19 now ) and four years ago, she went back to school with the goal of becoming a doctor. She’s now in Medical School… and she has never been more sure of something in her life.
You will be such an amazing asset to the medical community. I am really really thrilled to hear this and can’t wait to read more about it as you begin such an amazing journey.
This is the first time I’ve ever commented, but I just had to get on and let you know that I think that you are making a brave, wonderful choice, and I wish you the best of luck. The best gift can be to be able to do what you want to do with your life.
Congratulations! This is so exciting. I wish you all the best. 🙂
YAY!!! You did it!!! We are both so proud of you and know you are going to not only love it, but are going to be one of the best!!! The world is so lucky to have you in it!!!
Best wishes!!!
xoxo
Pure2raw twins
Wow, congratulations on the huge life decision! I’m sure you’ll do amazing, and I can’t wait to read all about the studies!
Wow, Gena. I both admire and respect you. I am 29 years old and with a passionless career. Due to economy, I can’t even get a job in that now. I basically am sliding by doing very insecure jobs…I feel so on edge – I have 8 years of schooling. A ton of debt.
Med school will be challenging, but I know you can do it. Actually getting in will be the challenge. Not everyone does.
I’m kind of surprised you didn’t go a more alternative route such as a doctor of naturopathy. I’ve found them far more effective than mainstream medicine has ever lead me.
But you know yourself.
In the meantime, I have an intense interest in editing and publishing, freelancing, copyrighting, etc.. However, I don’t have the finances to return to school to pursue that. If you have any thoughts or meaningful directions, let me know!
I’ve actually had the opposite experience, which is part of why I opted for this path. Either way, my goal is to offer help to people who suffer.
You actually don’t need any grad degrees for a publishing career! Truly, not a one. You do need to start networking very aggressively in NYC, getting informational interviews, etc., because that’s where the action is.
Wow what a terrifying and exciting goal. Just from reading your blog the past year I know you will be fabulous at anything you really want to do. What an amazing decision to follow your heart.
WOW!!!!! You are amazing and an inspiration. Good luck on your journey. I admire your decision to go back to school.