Introducing an exceptional group of healers

Out of thousands of hopefuls, fewer than 1 percent earned a coveted spot in the Class of 2028 at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. The group hails from 16 states and 43 undergraduate and graduate institutions, bringing vital perspectives from diverse backgrounds.

The class of 51 students is the 15th to enter the school. Two-thirds of the class are women, and 15 students call Virginia home, including two from from Roanoke. This year’s class includes two Hokies. Other Virginia schools represented include the College of William & Mary, the University of Virginia, Mary Baldwin University, the University of Richmond, and Washington and Lee University. Some of the other undergraduate institutions these students have attended include Dartmouth College, Johns Hopkins University, Vanderbilt University, and Penn State University. One student represents the U.S. Naval Academy.

The new class is made up of students from across the country, 22 percent of whom come from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, and 8 percent are from communities that are underrepresented in medicine.

Here's a cross-section of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM) Class of 2028:

Austin Fitzgerald

Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.

Undergraduate school: University of Chicago

Major: Medical anthropology

Something unique: Fitzgerald is an accomplished violinist.

Why medicine: “I’ve always known I wanted to be a doctor because you have an intention to do the best for your community. To me, that’s a very beautiful thing.”

Why this school: “The learning environment and the mission of the school was a good fit. Also, the patient population here was very important to me. I want to learn more about rural health care. I was impressed by the way the faculty members seem to really care about teaching.”

Hopes for the next four years: I want to gain some clarity about what my life will look like as a doctor. I want to truly put my all into this community and make it my home for the next four years.”

Christine Flora

Hometown: Roanoke

Undergraduate school: University of Virginia

Major: Biology and psychology

Something unique: Flora’s family immigrated from Vietnam.

Why medicine: “I had a lot of exposure to science and research growing up. I did some shadowing at Carilion Clinic and worked in the Chappell Lab at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC. This was all very interesting to me.”

Why this school: “I appreciated getting to know some faculty members and current students during the interview process. The students I met had a lot of good things to say, and I was really inspired by their experiences.”

Hopes for the next four years: “Being in medicine in my hometown is a powerful experience. I hope to see Roanoke and Southwest Virginia from a different perspective. I want to challenge myself and accept all the different opportunities that VTC [Virginia Tech Carilion] has to offer.”

Kestrel Green

Hometown: Del Norte, Colorado

Undergraduate school: University of Colorado at Boulder

Major: Biochemistry and cellular, molecular, and developmental biology

Something unique: Green grew up living off the grid in a strawbale house on 45 acres in the mountains of southern Colorado.

Why medicine: "I’m drawn to the myriad responsibilities of physicians — whether that be diagnosing and treating an individual patient in clinic, teaching students, performing research, or leading a business. What excites me most is the profound agency doctors have to directly improve the lives of people."

Why this school: “My VTC interview experience was by far my most impressive interview. I was really attracted by the energy that was on display by the faculty. The small class size fits my personality. Plus, the accessibility and emphasis placed on quality and impact-driven research supports my career goals.”

Hopes for the next four years: “It can be easy to get caught up in the busyness of school, and I am focused on finding a meaningful place in this new community. I really hope to grow a group of lifelong friends and colleagues during the next four years. I also plan to take advantage of the research opportunities present and hope to graduate with a strong direction of where I want to continue taking my research in my career."

Camille Mittendorf

Hometown: Hillsborough, North Carolina

Undergraduate school: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Major: Health policy and management

Something unique: Mittendorf is passionate about regenerative agriculture.

Why medicine: “I was working in public health during COVID-19 but felt I was missing something at the ground level. Later, while working on a farm, I felt a deep connection with the community and became passionate about how eating healthy and supporting the local food system could help manage peoples’ chronic illnesses. I wanted to incorporate the food-is-medicine approach. That’s when I decided to go to medical school.”

Why this school: “I was struck by the thoughtfulness and intentionality of the interview process. VTCSOM checked all my boxes. I left with a really good feeling.”

Hopes for the next four years: “I’m excited to get into some long-term research projects. Also, I want to be open to the different relationships I can build here — faculty, staff, peers, the Roanoke community — and nurture those. I’m looking to make Roanoke my home at least for the next four years.”