Skip to main content

Test Modal

This is a test modal to make sure the pop out can be applied to select elements through the use of a custom class
AUC Med Logo

Mobile Main Nav

  • About AUC
    • Why AUC
      • Residency Outcomes
      • Accreditations & Approvals
      • Diversity & Inclusion
      • Facts & Figures
    • Our Locations
      • St. Maarten Campus
      • UK Track
    • About
      • Request Information
      • Blog
      • Viewbook & Factsheets
      • Meet Our Faculty & Staff
      • Medical School Guides and Resources
  • MD Program
    • MD Program
      • Medical Sciences Curriculum
      • Clinical Sciences
      • Hospital Teaching Sites
      • USMLE Preparation
      • Academic Calendar
    • Student Support Services
      • OFFICE OF CAREER ADVISEMENT
      • Class Profiles
    • UK Track
    • Medical Education Readiness Program
  • Admissions
    • Admissions
      • Admissions Requirements
      • MCAT Information
      • Admissions Assessment
    • Information For...
      • Transfer Students
      • Career Changers
      • International Applicants
      • Canadian Student Applicants
      • Premed Advisors
    • Tuition & Aid
      • Tuition & Financial Aid
      • Scholarships
    • How to Apply
      • Start Your Application
      • Continue Your Application
      • Submit Your AMCAS Application
      • Submit Your AACOMAS Application
      • Submit Your TMDSAS Application
  • Student Life
    • About St. Maarten
      • Safety & Security
      • Health & Wellness
      • Virtual Tour
      • Clubs and Organizations
      • Housing
      • Spouses Organization and Families
    • COVID-19 Response
  • News & Events
    • Alumni News
    • Events
    • On-demand Webinars
    • News & Publications
    • Blog
  • Alumni
  • Faculty
  • Students
  • Parents
  • Careers

Secondary Mobile Menu

  • Request Info
  • Apply Now

Social Media Navigation

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Call
  • Request Info
  • Apply Now
  • Alumni
  • Faculty
  • Students
  • Parents
  • Careers

Utility Navigation

  • REQUEST INFO
AUC Med Logo
  • About AUC
    • ABOUT AUC

      Our medical school offers a collaborative learning environment that features a multitude of student organizations, small class sizes, international training opportunities, and a team-based learning culture.

      VIEWBOOK & FACTSHEETS

      • Why AUC
      • Residency Outcomes
      • Accreditations & Approvals
      • Diversity & Inclusion
      • Facts & Figures
      • Our Locations
      • St. Maarten Campus
      • UK Track
      • About
      • Request Information
      • Blog
      • Viewbook & Factsheets
      • Meet Our Faculty & Staff
      • Medical School Guides and Resources
  • MD Program
    • MD PROGRAM

      A US-modeled curriculum designed to prepare you for practice in the US, Canada, and beyond.

      Learn More

      • MD Program
      • Medical Sciences Curriculum
      • Clinical Sciences
      • Hospital Teaching Sites
      • USMLE Preparation
      • Academic Calendar
      • Student Support Services
      • OFFICE OF CAREER ADVISEMENT
      • Class Profiles
      • UK Track
      • Medical Education Readiness Program
  • Admissions
    • ADMISSIONS

      Our medical school admissions team is eager to assist you as you embark on your journey to become a physician. Our goal is to provide you with all of the information and guidance you need to explore AUC as a medical school option.

      Take the Admissions Assessment

      • Admissions
      • Admissions Requirements
      • MCAT Information
      • Admissions Assessment
      • Information For...
      • Transfer Students
      • Career Changers
      • International Applicants
      • Canadian Student Applicants
      • Premed Advisors
      • Tuition & Aid
      • Tuition & Financial Aid
      • Scholarships
      • How to Apply
      • Start Your Application
      • Continue Your Application
      • Submit Your AMCAS Application
      • Submit Your AACOMAS Application
      • Submit Your TMDSAS Application
  • Student Life
    • STUDENT LIFE

      Learn what it's like to be a student at AUC, including living in St. Maarten, opportunities for community involvement, and clubs and organizations.

      TAKE THE VIRTUAL TOUR

      • About St. Maarten
      • Safety & Security
      • Health & Wellness
      • Virtual Tour
      • Clubs and Organizations
      • Housing
      • Spouses Organization and Families
      • COVID-19 Response
  • News & Events
    • DISCOVER AUC

      From our alumni news, to informative blogs, and virtual tour, discover all that AUC offers.

      Learn More
      • Alumni News
      • Events
      • On-demand Webinars
      • News & Publications
      • Blog

Main Navigation Apply Now

  • Apply Now
    • Start Your Application
    • Submit Your AMCAS Application
    • Submit Your AACOMAS Application
    • Submit your TMDSAS Application
    • Continue Your Application
Pattern Two
Thursday, January 04, 2018
Career Changers

Shannon Stegall, MD '16

Share

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • email

Breadcrumb

  1. About Us
  2. News & Publications
  3. After Second Career Change, This Grad Found Her Calling

After Second Career Change, This Grad Found Her Calling

Class of 2016 grad Shannon Stegall, MD talks about what it's like to be a nontraditional medical student, the benefits of the Medical Education Readiness Program (MERP), and her experience completing clinical rotations in England.

Shannon Stegall, MD ‘16 had to envision a whole new life for herself after getting medically disqualified from a career for which she’d spent years training. Not an easy task—and it would take another degree and a second career change before she found her true passion. But her persistence paid off.

“There were so many times when I thought I wasn’t going in the right direction, but it all led me to where I am right now,” said Dr. Stegall, an internal medicine resident at Nassau University Medical Center in New York. “I absolutely love what I do, and I can’t imagine doing anything else in my life.”

What was your path leading up to medical school? 

I always had an interest in medicine, but I did my best to explore other career paths because my parents were both in the field and I knew how difficult it could be to maintain work-life balance. After I graduated college, I became a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Navy and went through flight school for a couple years before getting medically disqualified from flying. I was less than two weeks from earning my wings when I found out that I wouldn’t be allowed to fly due to a medication I needed to take.

So I went back to school, got my second bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, and entered a surgical assistant program at Eastern Virginia Medical School. That’s where I got my hands dirty in medicine and began considering it again. I was in the operating room alongside medical students, learning the same things as them, and I thought, "Well, why can’t I give med school a shot?"

What was it like being a nontraditional applicant?

It’s a little daunting when you’re older than the average med school applicant. It’s hard not to feel a bit discouraged because people will advise you against going back to school at your age. But the way I look at it is, the time is going to pass by anyway. Are you going to spend the next four years fulfilling a lifelong dream, or just going through the motions day-to-day?

Looking back now, was it all worth it?

It was 100% worth it. One of the best things about AUC is that even if U.S. schools have said “no” or if you’re a nontraditional student, AUC gives you an opportunity to prove yourself and be successful. It’s definitely a sacrifice—a lot of hard work, a lot of anxiety being away from family and friends, and not knowing whether you’re going to do well. But it’s amazing when you succeed and you help somebody, and even save someone’s life. I absolutely love what I do, and I can’t imagine doing anything else in my life.

You took part in the Medical Education Readiness Program (MERP). How was your experience with the program? 

Honestly, I don’t think I could’ve had the success that I’ve had without MERP. It’s a great way to build up your foundation so when you get into medical school it’s not the fire-hose effect with all the information. At the time, I didn’t really know what to expect, but I thought, OK, if it doesn’t work out, then I’m just back where I started. And now here I am with an MD, in residency, doing my chosen specialty.

What stands out about your AUC experience?

I made a wonderful group of friends. It was amazing to have a support system on the island with people who are all pursuing the same thing that you are and you can all push each other through. A benefit of being a bit older than the typical student is that I knew my limitations—I knew I couldn’t stay up and pull all-nighters before exams or anything like that. I was able to dedicate the study time when I needed it, but I also gave myself some down time and maintained a real work-life balance.

Then I spent my third year at Ealing Hospital in London, and I was able to get a lot of hands-on experience and figure out what subspecialty I liked most—which was all of them! That’s how I decided I wanted to pursue internal medicine. I found it challenging and exciting that every patient would be different, and I knew I’d never be bored.

Where do you see yourself after residency?

My goal is to become an academic hospitalist. I enjoy teaching others and I think it’s a great way to give back to the medical education community.

What advice do you have for current students?

Don’t let anything keep you from pursuing your dream. Every bump and hurdle along the way will shape you into a stronger person, and you never know if it’s going to lead you to exactly where you need to be. And know that you have a big alumni community rooting for you, wishing you the best, and looking forward to seeing you when you come rotate or interview at our hospitals.

Related Blogs

Blog
A man smiling
From Engineer to Endocrinologist
How a hospital experience inspired Mike Lemay, MD '00 to change careers and discover his true calling as a physician specializing in endocrinology
Blog
Bradley Reed outside of AUC campus
Why This Award-Winning News Anchor Enrolled at AUC

By the time he reached his 30s, Bradley Reed was by all accounts on the right track. He was working as a primetime news anchor in his home state of Arkansas. He won two Emmy Awards. He was engaged to be married.

But something was missing.

Blog
Dr. Rebecca Filbrandt headshot
From All-Star Babysitter to Socially Conscious Pediatrician
Looking back, it’s hardly a surprise that Rebecca Filbrandt, MD ’17 found her calling in pediatrics.
Top
AUC Med Logo

Footer Social Media Navigation

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Careers
  • Student Email
  • Colleague Email
  • Contact
  • Sitemap

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

1600 SW 80th TERRACE, SUITES 100 AND 200
PLANTATION, FL 33324
PHONE: 305-446-0600

TOLL-FREE: 866-DR2B-AUC
(866-372-2282)
FAX: 305-444-6791

ST. MAARTEN CAMPUS

1 UNIVERSITY DRIVE AT JORDAN ROAD, CUPECOY, ST. MAARTEN

PHONE: +1 721-545-2298

FAX: +1 721-545-2440

PRESTON, UK PROGRAM SITE

VERNON BUILDING ROOM 64, SIZER STREET PRESTON, LANCASHIRE PR1 1JQ

PHONE: +1 721-545-2298

FAX: +305-444-2440

American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM, www.accredmed.org), which is the accreditor used by the country of St. Maarten.

 

© 2023 American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. All rights reserved.   
Privacy Policy | Student Consumer Information | Online Cookie Policy | Accessibility | Catalog and Student Handbook | Office of Equity and Access

 

  • Call
  • Chat
  • Request Info
  • Apply Now
  • Alumni
  • Faculty
  • Students
  • Parents
  • Careers
  • "Chat Now"