Sammie Sposet
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Colorado Campus, Class of 2025
Where is your hometown?
Westlake, OH
Undergraduate studies:
Cleveland State University, Biology and Health Sciences
What clubs and activities are you currently involved with?
EMRIC 3rd year representative, Young Doctors Program Co-Director, Academic Medicine and Leadership Track, Student Ambassador
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I'm Sammie! I'm a washed up college athlete that now puts most of my free time into being active outdoors, hanging out with friends, doing CrossFit and going to concerts. I'm originally from Cleveland, Ohio so I'm working on making up for lost sunshine while I'm living in Colorado 🙂
What initially brought you to RVU? Why did you decide to pursue this degree?
RVU caught my interest based on the location, the culture and the various clubs/activities to engage in hands on learning. I have gotten a great didactic education at RVU, but I think that it is equally important to be happy in the location you're at and with the people around you in medical school. This extends to your support system outside of medicine, and Denver, CO has provided plenty of opportunities for connections both in and out of medicine. Additionally, the opportunities through SIMS club and EMRIC have allowed me to strengthen my skills and apply information clinically early on. I have always found happiness in taking care of others and have found the human body amazing- it is incredible what the body can endure and how much is happening from minute to minute to keep us alive!
What do you enjoy doing when not at RVU (family life, interests and hobbies)?
Outside of RVU, I love doing CrossFit, hanging out with friends and going to concerts. Getting to go to red rocks so frequently is something I never imagined for myself, and I'll never take it for granted. I love doing anything outdoors, being in the sunshine and near water, and love to play volleyball! Washington Park is one of my favorite places to be active and see some water.
What is an interesting or little known fact about you:
One time I rode a dairy cow.... This has become my interesting fact since my interview with RVUCOM where the stress of the situation took over and I found myself sharing this fact (that I had forgotten about until that moment) without any sort of filter. The cow's name was Autumn and she was my great uncle's best milk producing cow on his dairy farm. ... As it turns out, cows are rather wide, bony and slow.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given by a professor or student while at RVU?
People are not giving you a hard time, they're having a hard time.
Also, in the midst of trying to absorb vast amounts of information, I have found it helpful to remind myself that even if information doesn't end up being covered on an exam, that there is always a patient on the other side of that information and you're never wasting knowledge.
What are your medical interests?
I am very interested in Emergency Medicine; I love the fast-paced environment, the unpredictability and the variety of the specialty. Also, you are there to be a really great physician for a patient and their family on one of the worst days of their lives.
What is a favorite memory you have from being in RVU?
I have loved participating in SIMS and EMRIC events- most notably the annual obstacle course event with different medical procedure stations and the systems based case series events and procedural workshops that occur throughout the year.
What advice do you have for prospective students?
Come into medical school with an open mind and a desire to work. You're forming the foundation for your medical knowledge that will translate to thousands of human lives... that you are in charge of.
Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Start forming positive thought processes early on- imposter syndrome doesn't just go away. You will constantly be pushed outside of your comfort zone and there will be weeks at a time that you will be challenged with minimal wins- learn how to be reflective, but also to be kind to yourself to allow for growth. Form support systems within and outside of medical school. Do something for yourself every day, no matter how busy you are.
Lastly, the grass is greener where you water it. No medical school, residency program or staff position is perfect. People will often share about their frustrations but be someone that shares about the positives and remember that you will get what you give. This will take you a long way in didactics and through clinicals.