Suffolk Reporter

When Meenu Johnkutty began her studies at Stony Brook University as a freshman, she was already assured of a spot at the Renaissance School of Medicine, thanks to her acceptance into the Scholars for Medicine program. This program allows high-achieving high school seniors to embark on an eight-year journey to an MD without the need for a separate medical school application.

Dr. Andrew Wackett, vice dean of undergraduate medical education at RSOM, highlighted the selection criteria: "These students are all academic superstars in high school. We look at their personal attributes — maturity, thoughtfulness, communication skills, and well-roundedness. How will they add to the med school community?"

Johnkutty's interest in medicine was sparked early by her mother, a seasoned nurse. Her journey into the field began in the eighth grade when she volunteered at a local rehabilitation hospital. "They gave me small tasks, like handing out daily itineraries to patients," she shared. "But what I really loved was talking to the patients, just being there, connecting. That experience stayed with me."

During her high school years, Johnkutty engaged in neuroscience research, volunteered with spinal cord injury patients, and observed neurologists. "I knew early on that medicine combined everything I loved — science, service, and human connection."

For those accepted into the Scholars for Medicine program through various academic tracks, the program offers relief from the traditional med school application, early medical experiences, and a supportive peer community.

One of the highlights for Johnkutty was the strong bonds she formed within the program. "Everybody in the program is my best friend," she explained. "We started off as a cohort of ten, and naturally became close."

Johnkutty continued her research in spinal cord injuries while studying biology and minoring in journalism — another benefit of the program's flexibility. "Stony Brook gave me the space to pursue more than medicine," she noted.

As a fourth-year medical student now heading into an internal medicine residency at Brown University, Johnkutty reflects on her journey. She credits Stony Brook's science classes for providing a robust foundation. "The science classes at Stony Brook were incredible. They gave me a deep understanding of physiology that I carried with me into med school," she commented.

Johnkutty advises aspiring program applicants to focus on developing a genuine narrative about their interest in medicine. "There were students who did research, and students who didn’t," she mentioned. "But everyone had a story, something life-changing they could articulate with sincerity and clarity. At the end of the day, we want doctors who can connect. That’s more important than any award or title."

— Beth Squire