The Ambassadors share the goal in attracting the best possible students to Wake Forest University School of Medicine. They assist with on and off campus recruitment activities and act as liaisons among visiting students and the student body.
Dean's Ambassadors
Dean's Ambassadors are an elected group of students who are a part of the Admissions Office team.
Timothy Bowen, Class of 2030 (Winston-Salem Campus)
Having spent my entire life down in Florida, I was naturally a bit curious about how I would adjust to the rigors of medical school while also moving to a completely new and unfamiliar place. Looking back now, I can genuinely say I am happier than ever! This seamless transition is fully a testament to the incredibly special community that Wake Forest University School of Medicine fosters. From day one, I have been surrounded by the most friendly, kind, driven, and uplifting group of students, faculty, and mentors who are constantly supporting me and pushing me to reach my full potential.
I ultimately chose Wake Forest because of this deeply ingrained culture, and I truly believe it is the perfect environment to help me become the best physician I can be. The selflessness here is unmatched. Whether it’s my own classmates sharing study resources or final-year medical students taking time out of their busy clinical schedules to offer advice, everyone goes out of their way to ensure we all succeed together. Through this shared commitment to each other’s well-being, I have already made friendships that I know will last a lifetime.
Beyond the classroom, I am incredibly grateful for how integrated the School of Medicine is within the Winston-Salem community. Getting involved through Sideline volunteering at local high school football games and volunteering at various DEAC Clinic events has provided incredibly rewarding ways to begin giving back as a medical student. Furthermore, the vibrant extracurricular life driven by students and faculty has allowed me to consistently "fill my cup" outside of academics — a balance I feel is vital to a successful journey in medicine. Whether I’m running with our Deacon Dashers run club, learning alongside peers in Doctors in the Kitchen, or cheering at Wake Forest football games with my classmates, I am constantly reminded that I am exactly where I am meant to be. If you have any questions about Wake, adjusting to medical school, or finding your own community here, please don't hesitate to reach out!
Monica Soni, Class of 2030 (Charlotte Campus)
While completing my undergraduate degree at Wake Forest University, I became enamored with the supportive community, collaboration, and mentorship that made me feel so at home in North Carolina. As an undergraduate student, I was involved in a research lab at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and quickly realized that these qualities were representative of Wake Forest's medical school as well. When it became time for me to decide where I would attend medical school, talking to current students really solidified my decision to become a Double Deac. The genuine passion, excitement, and eagerness to help make a difference in others' lives was truly evident among Wake Forest medical students, and I knew I couldn't picture myself embarking on this journey anywhere else.
Now being a first-year medical student at the Charlotte campus, I can say with certainty that there is nowhere else I would rather be. The constant support and care for not only my education and future career, but my overall wellbeing is what has stood out to me the most. Medical school is a lot less daunting when I walk into class and see that the students in the grade above wrote everyone in my class notes wishing us good luck on our first exam, or when one of my professors hosts a dinner to celebrate the end of a block, when our faculty brings in therapy dogs to help encourage us to take breaks from studying, when those in the grade above help to tutor us, or even when our counseling center organizes an ice cream sundae bar for us. Whether it's from faculty, my professors, advisors, upperclassmen, or my classmates, I know I am surrounded by an endless amount of support at Wake Forest's School of Medicine.
This community is truly one of a kind, and I would love to help answer any questions you may have! Please don't hesitate to reach out and I look forward to speaking with you soon!
Seth Jarvis, Class of 2029 (Winston-Salem Campus)
While completing my undergraduate degree just a couple hours away in Virginia, I frequently heard about the incredible healthcare and education offered at WFUSM. Once I was able to visit, I saw firsthand that Wake had the perfect combination of amazing education and people, and I knew Wake Forest was where I was meant to be.
WFUSM has a truly top-notch curriculum designed to get us to think like a physician from day one. Every day we are learning the knowledge and skills necessary to be excellent and compassionate physicians. That means going to the wards within the first week to talk with patients, learning physical exam skills from practicing physicians, having hands-on ultrasound training, and discussing clinical correlations for all of our lecture topics.
Ultimately, I chose Wake Forest University School of Medicine for the people and the culture. Everyone here is unbelievably supportive and wants to see you succeed. Faculty members always teach from a place of kindness and compassion, caring for both your education and your well-being as a person. I have never been a part of a more cohesive, collaborative environment than when I started medical school here. Everyone in my class, and those above, go out of their way to ensure everyone is doing well on an academic and personal level. From sharing resources, we found useful and creating anki decks to forming study groups, WFUSM fosters an environment of teamwork and collaboration that is essential for both our personal and professional growth. Outside of academics, I’ve also made friendships that will last a lifetime, and I can't wait to watch as all my friends become excellent and compassionate physicians.
I can go on and on about WFUSM. If you have any questions about Wake, Winston-Salem, or medical school in general please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Tyler Schmidt, Class of 2029 (Charlotte Campus)
From the very beginning of my medical school journey, Wake Forest University School of Medicine stood out. Every student I met and faculty member I spoke with left me inspired and excited at the thought of calling Wake Forest home. Their focus on peer collaboration and community excellence resounded to me a feeling of respect not just for the school and its students, but for the city and its citizens.
Joining the first-year class in Charlotte, North Carolina has been an incredible opportunity to engage with Wake Forest’s innovative curriculum. It challenges students to grow not only as future physicians but as thoughtful individuals who understand the importance of community and collaboration. I was excited to be part of a new chapter in the school’s academic journey and to explore what it truly means to be a student in a program that values both excellence and belonging
Along with the curriculum at Wake Forest School of Medicine, the faculty and staff work hard to ensure that our success and well-being is of the utmost importance. The faculty and staff understand the rigor of medical training and go above and beyond to support our success and well-being. Their commitment ensures we thrive both academically and personally.
I’ve found my place at Wake Forest School of Medicine, and I’m proud to call it home. If you’re considering joining our community in Charlotte or Winston-Salem, I’d be happy to share my experience and show you why Wake Forest is the perfect place to begin your journey.
Ankita Prakash, Class of 2028 (Charlotte Campus)
I remember when I first came to visit the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, excited and nervous knowing that I may call this place home for the next four years. I was enamored by the rich culture, architecture, and community that Winston-Salem has to offer. I walked down Bailey Park and entered the Bowman Gray Center for Medical Education, finding gorgeous glass paned study halls surrounding the building, lush greenery lining the walkways, and most importantly, a smiling face at every corner. I learned about the rich history of the building and the surrounding Innovation Quarter area, and met the many wonderful people who bring character to this city. I immediately knew that I wanted to call this place home.
Beyond stellar academics and a curriculum guaranteed to develop students into fantastic, skilled physicians, the school of medicine houses a deep sense of community that welcomes students of all backgrounds with open arms. Within my first few months at school here, I have made friendships that will last me a lifetime. I feel genuine support in every aspect of my life here from my friends, faculty, and mentors. Rather than competition, I find collaboration, a pillar of medicine that no physician can be successful without.
Within every faculty and staff member, I have been pleased to find warmth, kindness, and a genuine desire to develop me into an excellent, well rounded physician. Even more so, I feel as though I am valued and cared for as a student beyond just my academics. I feel supported in every endeavor I wish to take on. I feel confident that my experiences at Wake Forest will guide me in every aspect of my career in medicine and beyond.
Whether it be run club at Fiddlin’ Fish on Mondays, Salsa at East of Texas on Tuesdays, or Jiu Jitsu on Wednesdays, Winston-Salem continuously offers a strong sense of community that deeply resonates with me. This environment has allowed me to grow academically and personally, which has been vital to my ability to thrive in medical school. I am confident that Wake Forest University School of Medicine offers a unique and exceptional program like no other. There is no place I would rather be.
If you have any questions about my experience at Wake Forest, living in Winston-Salem, or being a student navigating medicine, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I can’t wait to talk to you and meet you at school soon!
Stuart Lewis, Class of 2028 (Charlotte Campus)
Wake Forest University School of Medicine had always been on my radar ever since I began my undergraduate education at Wake Forest University. However, other than the fact that I wouldn’t have to move from Winston-Salem and that I could still be studying under the institution, I didn’t fully understand why this medical school would truly be the best place to become a future physician. It wasn’t until I met some of the current medical students for the first time that I truly understood and desired to become a part of this awesome place. The students I met were kind, compassionate, and absolutely brilliant. It became so clear to me that the Wake Forest School of Medicine was building up some of the most loving and competent students and future physicians ever seen — the type of students and physicians I desperately aspired to be.
While the admissions process could at many times be discouraging, making me feel like I’m always playing the comparison game with all the other applicants, I never felt that way with Wake Forest. This institution always strived to show warmth and intentionality to know me personally, even with the thousands upon thousands of applications it receives. The admissions team at Wake has always been so receptive and responsive, ready to come alongside others that are passionate about medicine and caring for others.
It was an even greater pleasure to realize that the warmth and intentionality is not localized to just the admissions team. Everyone in this place, from all of the faculty to all of the students, are committed to bring out the best in each other. Ultimately, the people are what make Wake Forest into the medical school that it is. There is not a single person who isn’t cheering you on – Wake Forest is not a place of dehumanizing competition but of passionate collaboration. I have never witnessed such an environment where the professors are always willing to come alongside you and help you become the best physician you can be. Furthermore, you will not find a more welcoming and helpful group of medical students than here at Wake. Everyone is constantly helping each other and inspiring one another to strive deeper into love, community, and excellence. I promise you, there is no place quite like Wake Forest School of Medicine.
If you have any questions at all and want to connect with me and other students, please do not hesitate to email me, I would love nothing more than to gush more about Wake Forest, its people, and its mission — and, of course, to warmly and intentionally get to know any aspiring physicians and future medical students.
Christopher Franco, Class of 2028 (Winston-Salem Campus)
Going into my undergraduate years at the University of South Florida, I always assumed I would stay in my home state for medical school. Wake Forest was on my radar, but it wasn't initially on my application list — until my parents relocated to North Carolina. Intrigued, I looked into the program, and discovering the core tenets that shape Wake Forest’s medical education immediately convinced me this was where I belonged.
When I was fortunate enough to be accepted off the waitlist, the admissions team set up a private tour within hours. Meeting third- and fourth-year students who spoke so passionately about WFUSM only heightened my excitement to spend the next four years in Winston-Salem. From day one, I was struck by the dynamic diversity of our class. The institution cultivated a strong sense of community from the start — a feeling that has only deepened as I enter my third year.
One aspect I have come to deeply appreciate is our direct access to faculty who are genuinely invested in medical education. Whether we are discussing pathophysiology in the lecture hall or navigating complex cases during clinical rounds, the attending physicians consistently prioritize our learning. Having lectures delivered directly by department heads and field leaders not only grounds our foundational knowledge in real-world clinical context, but it demonstrates how much WFUSM values mentorship, making high-level leaders approachable and creating an environment where asking questions is always encouraged.
Coming into my first year knowing little about Winston-Salem, I was pleasantly surprised by how much the city has to offer outside the classroom and hospital walls. The local community brings a surprising level of energy — whether it's cycling races downtown, outdoor concerts at Bailey Park by bands like The Fray and Saint Motel, catching a Winston-Salem Dash baseball game on a summer evening, or unwinding with one of the city's many weekly run clubs. It provides the perfect balance to the rigor of medical school, making it easy to stay active, explore local spots, and recharge. Wake Forest has allowed me to grow into my best self academically while thoroughly enjoying life in a city that truly feels like home. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about life at WFUSM or exploring Winston-Salem!
Katherine Cavanaugh, Class of 2027 (Winston-Salem Campus)
From the moment that I first interacted with Wake Forest University School of Medicine; I had a feeling it was going to be the right place for me. Having left North Carolina for my undergraduate education, I had a strong desire to return and learn how to study medicine in my home state to benefit a population that I care deeply about. The School of Medicine had the perfect combination of community engagement, exceptional clinical experience, and an incredible culture among the student body. Every student that I have interacted with at Wake is incredibly driven and has passions both within and outside of medicine. Students here lift each other up, encourage each other to pursue academic pursuits, and are always willing to take a study break and enjoy so many of the great opportunities that Winston-Salem has to offer. From hikes to great restaurants to tailgates, Wake students love to interact with the community around them.
I have felt equally supported by the faculty here as I have by my peers. The preclinical instructors are all fantastic, extremely accessible, and genuinely want you to succeed. I have developed close relationships with many faculty through research and extracurricular projects, and they are all genuinely interested in me as a person and as a student.
I really feel that I've found my place at Wake; I've developed lifelong mentors and friends that I know will be incredible colleagues one day. I have already begun to cultivate a strong passion for medicine, advocacy, and leadership throughout my time at Wake, and I can't wait to see what field I end up in. Wake has truly become a second home for me, and I can't imagine a better place to learn medicine and train to become a doctor.
Emily Ye, Class of 2027 (Charlotte Campus)
Wake Forest University School of Medicine has long been one of my dream schools on my journey to becoming a physician. As someone who grew up in North Carolina, Wake Forest has always held a place of high regard, not just as a top-tier medical institution, but as a symbol of excellence in service, education, and innovation. It's a school that has consistently been admired by my community, and its reputation for producing well-rounded, compassionate physicians is one I’ve deeply respected from a young age.
What truly sets Wake Forest apart is its collaborative and supportive environment. The students, faculty, and staff here are what make the school so special. Medical school is not an easy path, but the people here at Wake Forest go beyond what is expected to ensure we’re not only receiving the best education but also cared for as individuals. Faculty members take the time to truly listen, valuing each student’s thoughts, goals, and concerns. There is a deep culture of respect and compassion, where your voice is heard, and your well-being genuinely matters. Wake Forest doesn’t just train excellent physicians — it cultivates a community where people uplift and inspire one another every step of the way.
I’ve had the pleasure of being a student at both the Winston-Salem and Charlotte campuses, and each offers its own unique strengths and character. If you have any questions about either campus, please do not hesitate to reach out. I am extremely grateful to be part of the Wake Forest family and excited to welcome future students into this remarkable community.