It’s Never Too Late to Go to Medical School
Click to Enlarge
Medicine is a lifelong calling — and for some, the call comes later. An Association of American Medical Colleges study found that while most medical students are in their 20s, a small but determined group, just 2.8% of matriculants, begin training after age 30. These “nontraditional” students bring emotional maturity, life experience, and perspective that enhance patient care and team dynamics.
From Jen Reinmuth-Birch, who began medical school at 50 while homeschooling her sons in a converted school bus, to Dr. Carl Allamby, a former auto mechanic who became an emergency physician at 47, to Dr. Oliver Schirokauer, a former math professor turned bioethicist, each story underscores that purpose, not age, defines a physician’s path.
Whether inspired by personal loss, career change, or unfinished dreams, these physicians found resilience, empathy, and real-world wisdom invaluable in medicine. It wasn’t too late for them; it was right on time.
Whether starting, transitioning mid-career, or redefining retirement, MSSNY supports physicians of all ages and at every stage, from advocacy and education to mentorship and community. Our shared mission is to help every New York physician thrive, no matter where their journey begins.
Too Old for Med School? These Doctors Prove Otherwise (MacGilbert, Medscape, 11/3)
