University at Buffalo (UB)
Sam Racette, MD ’17
Medical student Sam Racette is grateful for UB’s first-rate teachers, his supportive classmates and the opportunity to volunteer at a free medical clinic.
What was it about UB that initially appealed to you?
I could tell that this school was clearly on the way up. It’s growing, and it’s not only people in Buffalo who are noticing. There is a lot of research going on here. You can do whatever you want to do leaving UB — and be in a position to do it well.
What has been your impression of your education at UB?
The training here is excellent. I’ve had a very good experience in terms of my clinical exposure and my education, so I feel fortunate to be here. The teachers love to teach, and they’re good at it.
How has the medical school’s consortium of affiliated hospitals impacted your clinical education?
I’ve gotten to train in different hospital systems and see how they work as a unit. Buffalo is fortunate in that we have a quality health care system, and each hospital has something it’s very good at, so we get to see top-notch care in different settings. We also get to see a wide variety of patients and diseases. Your experience is so much broader than if you had just trained in one hospital.
You spend a lot of your time volunteering at the Lighthouse Clinic, the student-run free clinic. Why do you feel so strongly about it?
It has taught me about the broader outlook of medicine. We try to give our patients access to as many services as possible, so it’s made me realize that there’s a lot more to medicine than what happens in an exam room. Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your patients is connect them to someone who can help them in another area of their life.
How would you describe your medical school class?
My class is incredibly cohesive, and it’s been that way throughout med school. I’ve always felt supported by my classmates. Everyone wants to see everyone else succeed.