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Class of 2025 graduate Michelle Cugino is from Canton, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and graduated from Walsh University. She matched in OB/GYN at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵHealth Doctors Hospital in Columbus and hopes to be an OB/GYN generalist. She says because she loves mentoring students, she would also like to become a professor or clinical preceptor.

What are you most excited about as you take your next step in your career?

[I am] most excited about building relationships with patients, learning new skills and delivering babies!

If you could go back in time and give yourself advice, what would it be?

Spend more time with your family and know that everything happens for a reason.

What led you to a career in medicine?

Lots of family members with cancer who went through chemotherapy and surgeries and seeing the struggles and effects that medicine had on them initially peaked my interest and made me feel passionate about health care.

How would you describe your time at the Heritage College?

[My] time at HCOM was a blast. Met so many great people and have made such great friendships along the way.

Looking back on medical school, what were you most important experiences?

My most important experiences in med school were being alongside friends and classmates which got me through lots of tough times. 

Were you involved in research? If so, can you share more about what you worked on?

I did research at Nationwide Children's Hospital after my first year of medical school and worked on a project with the anesthesiology department that focused on the effects of perioperative and postoperative outcomes of general anesthesia in children who were positive for COVID.

Who has helped you along the way? Is there anyone you want to recognize?

Family (mom and Aunt Theresa), my partner, and friends. 

What hobbies do you have?

I love pickleball, bouldering, and playing video games.