Student Profile: Lynn Benson, MBS COM ’22

Hometown: Rochester, New York 

Where did you complete your undergraduate education? What did you study? 

I graduated in 2012 from the University of Rochester located in Rochester, New York. I entered U of R as a transfer student after spending my freshman year at SUNY Buffalo. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in Molecular Genetic as well as a cluster in African-American Studies. I was also granted entry into U of R’s tuition-free fifth year Take Five Scholars Program after approval of a multi-disciplinary self-designed curriculum titled, “The Evolution of Black Women in Response to Their Surroundings.”

Specialty/ potential specialty:

At this point, I have quite a few interests. I spent the summer after my first year in a Primary Care Leadership Program and I enjoyed my experience working alongside family and internal medicine physicians in a Primary Care Clinic. I am also interested in other specialties where I can work more with my hands/ do procedures. Finally, due to prior bench research and personal experiences, I have had a long-time interest in IM- Hematology/Oncology, specifically pediatrics, i.e. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital!

What inspired you to study medicine? 

My inspirations are many; my family, my desire to improve the health of communities in America, my need to learn a skill set that I can utilize in Nigeria, the country where the majority of my family members reside. As they say, health is wealth and in order for us to reach our full potential as individuals and as nations, there has to be a potential to thrive. I look forward to helping individuals do so by keeping them and their communities healthier.

What is your favorite memory so far of your time studying at SUNY Downstate College of Medicine?

My favorite memory is working as the 2018 MS1 Coordinator and 2019 Co-Director for the Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP), an annual program organized by the Daniel Hale Williams Society (DHWS) at Downstate. In these positions, I have had the opportunity to work with different offices and meet administrators and staff members who share the same passion as I, increasing the number of underrepresented students in medicine and science. I also enjoyed the opportunity to work with my colleagues on Saturday mornings, teaching and mentoring high school students from Brooklyn, New York.

Who is/was your favorite professor at SUNY Downstate College of Medicine and why?

I thoroughly enjoyed having Dr. Stephen Carleton as my Unit 1 PBL Medical Knowledge leader. He gave me useful feedback during and after our sessions that have helped guide me since. I especially appreciate the support he provided for external applications. Additionally, it was wonderful learning from him during Unit 3. He freely shared interesting and insightful information to my POPS group that made our extra-long sessions worthwhile.

Is there anything else that you think Alumni would like to know about you?

I did not have a chance to specifically thank the association for the iPads gifted to the Class of 2022, so I would like to do that now. Thank you, Alumni Association, for investing in our future and our potential to positively influence and help others. I look forward to engaging in efforts to strengthen the relationship between current medical students and Downstate Alumni.