About Us

Laura graduated as valedictorian of her highschool in 1986, then matriculated into the University of Florida as pre-med and majoring in Microbiology.  She graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a 4.0.

I spent the first year of medical school studying Gross Anatomy; Histology; Neuroanatomy; Embryology; Clinical Medicine Introduction; Biochemistry; Physical Diagnosis; and Physiology.  These were intermingled with various experiences such as intake work of patients at local health clinics (including AIDS patients); several full observations of a human autopsy; and volunteering as mentors/fun parents for kids from a local children’s cancer hospital.

Taking Gross Anatomy was the most challenging experience of all.  It forced me to change my entire study habits. More on this in my Blogs.  Most medical students also worked every summer part-time with a practicing physician.  I worked in Gynecology.

From this, I learned to teach the entire female wellness Exam (both breast and pelvic) to aspiring Nurse Practitioners and to medical students.  I thank the Harrell Center at U.F.’s College of Medicine for this opportunity.

The clarity of treating disease became obvious during the second year.  Pathology was taught over 10 months; I earned one of my few As in this course.  More exact experiences with clinical situations and case studies occurred.  Microbiology and Pharmacology, as well as Physical Diagnosis II, were learned.  Each and every course was deeply embedded with USMLE-style questions, such that gathering the study resources for this Step I endeavor would not be difficult.

I focused on two: the actual textbooks (with class notes) and Pre-Test booklets.  Their questions were exactly framed in the USMLE style. In June of 1992 I took and passed the two-day Step I Exam.