#OurTufts Features MD Student Anna Winston

"Looking back at starting my journey at Tufts, in some ways I'm right where I hoped I'd be, but in other ways nowhere I expected to be. I first came to Tufts University School of Medicine for the Master's in Biomedical Science program and then the Master’s in Public Health program. I knew I wanted to fold that into a career as a combined doctor and public health worker but didn't know exactly what that path would look like.

Tufts has been an amazing place for me to figure that out. I did qualitative research with men serving life sentences without parole on their program options in prison, and how we can improve. Medical school opened doors and experiences for me that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. 

The most rewarding part of medical school came at the beginning of the third year: Setting foot on the wards and realizing it was all worth it. This is what I want to do for my life. It's very fulfilling to have honest conversations with patients, earn their trust, and treat them—or at least hopefully contribute to their life. 

After graduation, I’m moving to Philadelphia with my boyfriend, who’s also graduating from medical school, for our residencies. Mine is at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania for internal medicine. I know I'll be happy as long as I can work closely with patients and also practice public health." 

- Anna Winston, M16, M20, is about to graduate from Tufts University School of Medicine.

#OurTufts is a series of personal stories shared by members of the Tufts community. Photo by Jake Belcher