Dr. Takae Brewer, a cancer genomics fellow at Cleveland Clinic and a PhD student in Case Western Reserve University’s Physician Researchers Innovating in Science and Medicine (PRISM) program, tells us about her experiences getting a PhD after medical school. Takae outlines the typical trajectory for students pursuing an MD/PhD in the US and contrasts it with her own, more nontraditional path of pursuing a PhD after fellowship. She gives details about PRISM: how it compares to a typical PhD program and what it looks like for her as a fellow. Takae also introspects on why a PhD after medical school was the better choice for her and the value it brings to her practice. As she tells her story and shares her experiences, Takae encourages us to pursue what we dream of doing, whatever the path may look like.

Some helpful links:

PRISM Program