Open book . . . Eli Freiman, SOM '15
On Wednesday, the Daily Voice introduces you to a student or resident at UMass Medical School. We’ve asked our subjects to answer a few questions that might reveal a little of their personalities. If you know someone who you’d like to see profiled, let us know at ummscommunications@umassmed.edu.
Why did you choose UMass Medical School?
I chose UMass Med because of the opportunity to study in my home state at a medical school that is so quickly gaining notoriety on the national stage. No other school I visited had such an inviting atmosphere and took their students’ opinions and feedback so seriously.
Describe yourself in six words or fewer.
Hardworking goofball who never stops singing.
If you were stranded on a deserted island, name three things you would want.
A lighter w/lighter fluid; somebody stranded with me; and a boat (am I allowed to pick that?)
If you could have dinner with a famous person, living or dead, who would that be and why?
Not your typical kind of famous, but I’d choose my grandfather who was a well-known pathologist in Boston. He died before I decided to go to medical school and I’d love the opportunity to sit down with him and talk about medicine for hours.
What person or experience made you decide to pursue a medical degree and why?
It was a combination of inspiration from my grandfather, see above, and my experience as an EMT during my undergrad that really cemented my interest in becoming a physician.
What is the most interesting or challenging job (paid or unpaid) you’ve ever had and what did you learn about yourself?
Definitely when I worked as a counselor at a camp for children whose parents had cancer. It was challenging because these kids deal with many people’s nightmare day in and day out and it’s tough to figure out how to be there for these kids without having been in their situation. This camp taught me how resilient children can be and how important laughter is in our daily lives.
What would your fellow students be surprised to learn about you?
I played jazz tenor saxophone in my high school jazz band for four years!
If UMass Medical School had not been an option, what would you be doing right now?
Traveling to see parts of the world that I still haven’t visited. Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia are high on my list.
If you could change the world as a physician, what would you like to do?
I’d love to send every kid with cancer back to their loved ones happy and healthy.
Most surprising thing you’ve found out about graduate school?
Medical students are real people too! With families and lives (sort of…)!
Most surprising thing you’ve discovered about Worcester?
The number of unbelievably delicious diners. Nothing makes a post-exam day better than a giant plate of diner food for breakfast.