Lyndon Wood is a second-year MD student at Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charlotte. She’s a former Division 1 soccer player at Wake Forest University, and she was recently recognized as the Atrium Health Honorary Captain at the Charlotte FC match on August 15 at Bank of America Stadium.
Before kickoff, Wood was introduced to the crowd and recognized for her dedication to serving the community as she pursues her passion for becoming a physician. More than 50 of her classmates, including first-year students in the Class of 2030, attended the match to support Wood and Charlotte FC.
Wood shared more about her experience as honorary captain, her journey to medicine and other fun facts about her in the following Q&A:
What was most rewarding part of serving as Honorary Captain?
“It was really cool being able to hear my classmates cheer in the stands despite being in such a vast stadium. Getting to celebrate this occasion with them and hearing them during the recognition parallels my daily reminder of how fortunate I am to be on my new team of medical students working together to one day best serve our future patients. I am really grateful we got to be there together.
Feeling my two passions of medicine and sports come together for the first time as a non-athlete will be something I always remember. To be a member of the School of Medicine has been a lifelong dream ever since the days I was an athlete on the field, so, to have the privilege to not only represent the school but to do so on the sideline of North Carolina’s Major League Soccer team was so special.”
What did it mean to you having so many of your classmates attend the match to support you?
“I was overwhelmed with love and gratitude having so many classmates at the game. With our schedule, Saturdays are our only true day off each week, so to have them take their time to come out is a testament to how special our class is at the medical school. I truly could not imagine going through this journey with anyone else and feel so blessed to know they are my future colleagues in medicine.”
Why did you want to pursue medicine as a career?
“Ever since I can remember, my parents instilled altruism as a guiding principle in my life. I grew up volunteering and learning how meaningful community involvement can create lasting change. Every day, I was inspired by my mother's dedication to community initiatives and my father's work as a local physician. Their example shaped my understanding of purpose, fulfillment and service.
These experiences sparked my passion for public health and its connection to local communities while I simultaneously developed a deep appreciation for the biological sciences as an undergraduate. Later, my experiences as a Division I athlete who endured multiple musculoskeletal injuries, followed by my work as a researcher in addiction medicine at Johns Hopkins University and the National Institute on Drug Abuse, reinforced how profoundly medicine unites scientific discovery, human connection and service to others.”
What is your connection to soccer?
“Soccer has been a defining part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up playing for the NC Courage Development Academy and Elite Club National League teams, the youth development pathway affiliated with the NC Courage of the National Women’s Soccer League. During college, I also had the opportunity to train with the NC Courage first team. I continued competing at the Division I level at Wake Forest University and later at Johns Hopkins University while completing my master's degree. Although I have since retired from competitive soccer, the sport remains central to my identity. I enjoy supporting Charlotte FC and stay connected to the athletic community by working with local physicians to deepen my understanding of sports-related injuries, biomechanics, rehabilitation and return-to-play protocols.”
What medical specialties are you interested in pursuing?
“I am interested in orthopaedics, emergency medicine, trauma surgery and sports medicine.”
What is something people may not know about you?
“Last year, I had the opportunity to illustrate a published bilingual children's book written by my younger sister, who is fluent in Spanish. It was such a fun project to work on together and a special way to combine her love of storytelling with my passion for art.”
What do you love most about Wake Forest University School of Medicine?
“As a Wake Forest undergraduate alumnus, Wake Forest has always felt like home. The culture among students, faculty and physicians is uniquely collaborative, supportive and mission-driven. There is a shared commitment to helping one another grow so that, together, we can provide the highest quality care for our future patients. Being a Demon Deacon and hopefully, one day, a Deacon Doc, means joining an extraordinary network of alumni who recognize the privilege of training at Wake Forest University and are deeply invested in mentoring the next generation of physicians.
As someone born and raised in North Carolina, training and ultimately, practicing in my home state has always been a personal priority. Wake Forest University’s presence in both Winston-Salem and Charlotte offers the opportunity to remain deeply engaged with communities across North Carolina while continuing to learn how to best serve the people who make this state feel like home.”
