Brooke Jones ’25, now in her first year of medical school at VCOM-Auburn, knew from an early age that access to health care was not a guarantee for everyone. Observing her mother’s role as a chief nursing officer, she saw barriers to rural health care access. This reality shaped her purpose and determination in college. At Berry, Brooke found the academic support, hands-on experience and community to fulfill her calling.
A basketball player, she majored in biochemistry, preparing for medical school with a rigorous academic foundation. Her faculty mentors, Pre-health Advisor Chris Mingone and Associate Professor of Psychology Susan Conradsen, contributed to her development beyond the classroom.
“They encouraged me to stand out. Throughout my time at Berry, I tried to broaden my horizons beyond the sciences or medical-related activities,” says Brooke. ‘Writing my personal statement, I was nervous I didn’t have a dramatic ‘why medicine’ that pushed me to pursue being a physician, but Dr. Mingone, the pre-med advisor, showed me my passion was enough.”
Thanks to their encouragement, Brooke embraced opportunities that pushed her beyond her comfort zone. As a teaching assistant and an Academic Success Center leadership team member, she grew skills in communication, relational management and event planning, which strengthened her confidence and adaptability.
“These jobs weren’t directly tied to medicine, but they taught me how to be efficient, articulate and how to work well with others,” says Brooke.
She also balanced life as a student-athlete. Competing on Berry’s basketball team, Brooke says, “The early mornings, long bus rides, wins and losses are not something I would ever trade. Athletics taught me balance, time management and the power of perseverance.”
Supported by Berry’s pre-med committee, she received constructive feedback after a mock interview: "They encouraged me to keep working on answers to the typical questions I would be asked, read up on current medical literature and ethics, and be confident when talking about myself and my accomplishments.”
For example, Brooke expressed the value of shadowing and research in her medical school interviews. Shadowing helped confirm her desire to become a family or internal medicine physician. Similarly, her undergraduate research experiences showcased her ability to put her scientific knowledge to work as she helped a Berry faculty member work toward developing a safer and more environmentally friendly way to produce urazole, a chemical compound used in scientific and industrial applications.
Brooke's hard work paid off. She was accepted to every medical program where she interviewed. At VCOM-Auburn, she will continue training to bring compassionate, accessible care to underserved areas.
Grateful for her undergraduate experience, she says, "Berry gave me more than an education. It gave me valuable opportunities and the confidence to pursue medicine.”
