Students of Our Future

Osha Chesnutt-Perry

Osha Chesnutt-Perry graduated from Saint Louis University in 2021 with a B.S. in neuroscience. As a member of the SLU School of Medicine class of 2025, she is actively exploring her field of interest, including pursuing a distinction in medical education. She values SLU’s approach of treating the whole person and seeks to bring that philosophy into her medical career. 

What was your process for choosing a medical school and how did SLU stand out to you? 

I was interested in a school that prioritized student health and well-being, as well as treatment of the whole person. SLU fulfilled both criteria and more, including service to the St. Louis community. In addition, I have several family members in St. Louis and was interested in a location where I would have a strong social support system.

What is the most impactful aspect the School of Medicine is focusing on to benefit current students? 

The school has been committed to increasing mental health services for students over the past year. SLU hired a full-time mental health professional, who is available for students, and also created a new Wellness Space within the medical school. School is mentally and emotionally challenging, and mental health is critically important, so it is wonderful to see a prioritization of these resources.

Mackenzie Poole

Mackenzie Poole graduated from Saint Louis University in 2019 with a B.S. in biology, and started her medical school journey after graduation. After completing over three years of medical education, she joined the One-Year MBA program to gain an understanding of how companies outside of healthcare operate and to further develop her leadership skills. Poole graduated from the Chaifetz School of Business with an MBA in 2023, and she will graduate from the School of Medicine in 2024 with plans to pursue a residency in dermatology. 

What are your career aspirations and how is SLU helping you prepare for your future? 

I will be applying for a dermatology residency during the 2024 Match cycle. The support from deans' staff, clinical faculty, and residents across specialties convinced me I could succeed in this highly competitive specialty. They have also allowed me to be abundantly involved in in-person and remote research during my MBA year, which helped me gain exposure to the field and facilitate my future goal of performing clinical research.

How have the faculty supported you throughout your medical education? 

During the summer semester of my MBA, I was struck by how supply chain, operations, marketing, finance, and management directly impact the resources behind physicians’ daily clinical decision-making. I approached Dr. Katherine Mathews, the dean of health systems science, and told her I wanted to help our students learn to advocate for their patients and themselves in an executive setting. Nine months later, we launched an active learning, “Controversial Cases'' session during the MS4 capstone sponsored by the Bander Center for Medical Ethics that uses real-life scenarios to teach students the fundamentals of malpractice and job negotiation. 

Jorge Silva Hidalgo

As a member of the SLU School of Medicine class of 2026 and graduate of the SLU MAPP Program, Jorge Silva Hidalgo has an early interest in general surgery, but his higher aspiration is promoting health care within the greater Hispanic community. Today, he serves as co-president of the Latino Medical Student Association at SLU (SLU LMSA) and works in the community to address existing language barriers in health care. 

How did your experience in the SLU MAPP Program prepare you for medical school? 

The Medical Anatomy and Physiology (MAPP) Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program has been the cornerstone of my medical education. It allowed me to actively work alongside medical students, discover what first year in medical school is like, and thrive in a rigorous curriculum. It also empowered me to work with others, develop a collaborative mindset, and improve communication skills, which are now the foundations of my professional development. Additionally, the faculty and staff genuinely cared for me and wanted me to succeed. MAPP has been the path that led me to medical school, and I will always be grateful for that. 

How is SLU helping you prepare to achieve your goals within the field of medicine? 

SLU is already providing me with the resources and support to bring change to the St Louis community as a student. The recent collaboration between SLU LMSA and the Trauma Department at SSM Saint Louis University Hospital brings bilingual Stop the Bleed classes to our Spanish-speaking community. This new initiative will help overcome existing language barriers and bring life-saving knowledge for bleeding emergencies to the forefront of our Hispanic community.