Meet Zechariah Jean, a member of the Class of 2024 and an aspiring anesthesiologist who chose Wayne State University for medical school because of its curriculum-based focus on community service and volunteer opportunities in Detroit. He’s also an avid runner, making him “a better student and a happier human.” 

Question: Why did you choose Wayne State University for medical school?

Answer: I wanted to get involved with the Detroit community as much as I could. There are so many opportunities to serve in student-run free clinics, feed those experiencing homelessness and to aid other vulnerable populations that need help. Basically, if you can imagine any community service initiative, you have the ability to pursue it at Wayne State.

Q: What do you do to support your health and wellness?

A: I run, I rock climb and I play video games. I am training for a marathon. Detroit has a huge running community. Run Detroit, Red Cedar Running Club and even our medical school all have plenty of people to run with. It can be difficult sometimes to maintain these activities, but I truly believe that by prioritizing activities that you love, you become a better student and a happier human. I’ve honestly seen my grades positively correlate with my weekly running mileage. (I did the math!).

Q: What was the best part of your first two years of medical school?

A: The learning community system is the best part of the first two years of medical school. You can quickly find peer mentors who are happy to guide you, share resources, and you make friends quickly.

Q: What was the best part of your last two (clinical) years?

A: My clinical rotations have been my favorite part of medical school! I rotated at the DMC, and it feels like the culmination of several years of hard work. I finally get the privilege to care for patients. As a previous third- and now fourth-year student, I spend more time than any other person on the (care) team with usually about one to three patients, so I learn lots of cool patient stories.

Q: What area of medicine are in you interested in pursuing after graduation?

A: I am interested in becoming an anesthesiologist. This field provides a unique opportunity to meet my patients while they are in an unsure, scary place. I want to be there for my patients throughout those difficult times and to reassure them. It’s super rewarding to be able to tell a patient that they’re all better and to fill in the gaps in their memory. Plus, you get to use almost all the knowledge you learn in medical school, so it feels like you’re practicing at the top of your license.

To learn more about life as a Wayne State University School of Medicine Warrior M.D., visit med.wayne.edu/admissions