My residency classmates are hilarious people and I appreciate that. I’m introverted so it took me a little longer than others to connect so I would say September Didactic Month has really helped me connect with everyone.
- Olivia McReynolds, MD
About Me
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
College/University: Spelman College
Medical School: Howard University College of Medicine
College/University: Spelman College
Medical School: Howard University College of Medicine
What are your career goals?
Teaching/Academia, SocialEM, and Entrepreneurship
What did you do the summer before internship?
-Played as I could during my pandemic summer
-Traveled to Jamaica
-Went to lots of D.C. brunches
-Enjoyed friendship-time before we went all over the country
-Traveled to Jamaica
-Went to lots of D.C. brunches
-Enjoyed friendship-time before we went all over the country
What do you like to do outside of medicine?
-Movies/TV, like the whole Marvel Cinematic Universe
-Brunch, especially on rooftops
-Playing in Target and other shopping excursions
-Traveling to different states and out of the country (when there isn’t a pandemic)
-Jigsaw puzzles (it’s peaceful)
-Brunch, especially on rooftops
-Playing in Target and other shopping excursions
-Traveling to different states and out of the country (when there isn’t a pandemic)
-Jigsaw puzzles (it’s peaceful)
Reflections on the Pitt EM Program
What were you looking for in a residency program?
-Co-residents who were chill and knew how to have fun
-A program that give you the opportunity to try many different practice sites and exposure to many different types of careers
-A supportive administration
-Diversity/A commitment to diversity
-A city where there was fun stuff to do
-Mentorship
-A program that give you the opportunity to try many different practice sites and exposure to many different types of careers
-A supportive administration
-Diversity/A commitment to diversity
-A city where there was fun stuff to do
-Mentorship
What are the strengths of the Pitt EM program?
-An environment to do anything you want to do career-wise- there is someone doing anything you could think of
-The people – my co-residents are these fun and hard-working humans, the administration is supportive and invested
-There is no shortage of mentorship and support from faculty/administration
-The training is varied and solid, there is a focus on improving you as a clinician AND anything else you want to pursue
-The people – my co-residents are these fun and hard-working humans, the administration is supportive and invested
-There is no shortage of mentorship and support from faculty/administration
-The training is varied and solid, there is a focus on improving you as a clinician AND anything else you want to pursue
Tell us about your residency classmates! How long did it take to connect?
My residency classmates are hilarious people and I appreciate that. I’m introverted so it took me a little longer than others to connect so I would say September Didactic Month has really helped me connect with everyone.
What is one thing that surprised you about Pitt/UPMC?
How different each hospital/training site are (different populations, different disease processes, different acuity, different cafeteria food) despite how close in geographic location they all are.
About Pitt EM and Pittsburgh
What do you like best about living in Pittsburgh/Western PA?
There is far less traffic than the other cities I have lived in and the city is so peaceful at night
Where did you choose to live, and why?
I live in a building in East Station Square. I chose my building because: my apartment is beautiful for the price, the amenities are good for me, there is an almost 24-hour concierge, my commute is a maximum of 15 minutes
Based on your experiences, what advice would you give to incoming applicants about moving to the 'Burgh?
-Look for apartments early and take advantage of deals
-If you see a place that you like, ask if a resident lives there (again, there might be deals)
-Buy a winter coat (or coats) during the summer
-Ask about places to eat/do stuff/services when you get here, some of the good places don’t have websites
-Move earlier than the orientation start date, there’s time to meet/bond with your class
-If you see a place that you like, ask if a resident lives there (again, there might be deals)
-Buy a winter coat (or coats) during the summer
-Ask about places to eat/do stuff/services when you get here, some of the good places don’t have websites
-Move earlier than the orientation start date, there’s time to meet/bond with your class
