By Marena Keci

As Deena Kishawi (MD, 2020) completes her residency and prepares to join Brown University as a full-time faculty member, she reflects on how Stritch prepared her for residency and beyond. 

Kishawi’s journey through the residency matching process was anything but typical. While most M4s (fourth-year medical students) choose one specialty to apply for, Kishawi applied to two: OB/GYN and orthopaedic surgery. She let the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) algorithm determine her specialty, ultimately matching into an OB/GYN residency. "It was the program that wanted me as much as I wanted it," she says. 

Her experience taught her valuable lessons that she now shares with Stritch M4s approaching this milestone in medical training, which begins each September when students apply to residency programs via the Electronic Residency Application Service. One of her key pieces of advice is to remain open to unexpected opportunities. For example, an M4 might consider programs in states where they did not plan to move or contemplate programs that were not on their original list. This flexibility can lead to unanticipated and favorable outcomes.   

A critical resource during Kishawi’s application process was FREIDA, provided by the American Medical Association. This tool offers a comprehensive list of all specialties and programs, including locations and characteristics. Kishawi found it indispensable for learning about programs she might not have otherwise discovered. 

Applying to two specialties posed its own set of challenges. Kishawi had to navigate the process with precision, ensuring that each application was directed to the appropriate hospital without revealing her dual interests.  

Kishawi advises students to thoroughly research and understand each specialty before deciding. Given the current state of the application process, she does not recommend dual applying, as the system has become more complicated than when she applied.  

“When I applied, the application systems weren’t split up as they are now. Which makes it very hard to dual apply today,” she says.  

Her decision to attend Stritch was driven by its alignment with her educational and moral values. With an undergraduate degree in cognitive neuroscience from DePaul University, Kishawi was drawn to Stritch's commitment to humanism and care for the under-served. Stritch’s environment supported the kind of education she envisioned, with a strong emphasis on clinical experience from the beginning of medical school. 

Stritch played a crucial role in preparing Kishawi for her residency and upcoming role at Brown University. The early clinical exposure at Stritch helped her develop strong clinical skills and feel comfortable in various medical settings. This fall, Kishawi joins Brown University as an academic generalist in OB/GYN, where she will provide patient care and teach medical students. Reflecting on her journey, Kishawi continues to draw from her Stritch experience as she steps into her new role as an educator. 

October 2024