Advice from an Alumnus: Meet Rebecca Mabee!

SD Mines has a reputation for excellence that reverberates through our students long after they leave campus with their degrees in hand. Today, we are featuring on of our alumni, Rebecca Mabee, who earned her degree in mechanical engineering and is currently pursuing a degree in medicine at USD Sanford School of Medicine right here in South Dakota. We caught up with Rebecca to ask her about her pre-health journey at SD Mines and how it helped her prepare for a career in health care.

Hey, Rebecca! Where are you and what are you doing as an SD Mines graduate? 
I am a second-year medical student at USD Sanford School of Medicine. I have just finished Pillar 1 where we spent 3 semesters in the classroom learning the basic biomedical sciences. I will now start Pillar 2 where we will do patient care in the clinics and hospitals.  

How does being in medical school tie into your degree from SD Mines?
While I may have branched off from engineering to enter the medical profession, I have still found those foundational skills to be helpful in medical school. I learned how to problem solve, work in a team environment, and to think about problems from different angles. In terms of coursework, I found fluid dynamics to be particularly helpful in understanding cardiovascular, renal, and respiratory physiology. 

What kind of shadowing did you do and what did you learn from those experiences?
During undergrad, I worked as a medical scribe for an OB/GYN in Rapid City. This was a wonderful experience that really exposed me to the medical world. I saw firsthand the aspects of patient care and working as part of a medical team in various settings – clinic, the operating room, and labor and delivery. I also spent time shadowing other specialties including orthopedic surgery and neurology. These experiences solidified my passion for pursing a career in medicine and attending medical school. 

Did you do any research while at SD Mines?
I did research for several years within the mechanical engineering department. My research involved ballistics studies that were sponsored by the Army Research Laboratory. For my senior design project, my group partnered with an OB/GYN to design and manufacture a pessary for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse. This is a condition that commonly affects postmenopausal women and a pessary is a device that can be used as a nonsurgical treatment. My team is now in the process of obtaining a patent for our design and exploring the possibility of getting the pessary into production. 

What kinds of volunteering do you do?
Medical school has many opportunities for volunteering that I have taken part in. One experience was volunteering at the Coyote Clinic, a free clinic in Sioux Falls for the underprivileged and uninsured. I have also done free blood pressure readings at a local fair. During undergrad, I regularly volunteered at the hospice house. I really enjoyed connecting with these patients and found this to be a very rewarding experience. 

How did you prepare for the MCAT or other entrance exam?
As I had been studying mechanical engineering, instead of a more medically focused degree, I felt it was important to invest in a prep course. I did a multi-week Kaplan course that I felt helped focus my studying and better prepare me for taking the MCAT. 

What do you do when you aren’t studying?
My husband, Mike, is a first-year law student so he and I are both busy with studying and other school related activities. When we break from studying, we enjoy working out together at the wellness center, cooking healthy meals, or getting together with friends. I also love to travel so have tried to sneak in trips whenever my medical school schedule allows. We enjoy hiking, biking, beaches, and exploring national parks. 

What techniques do you use to manage your time and stress levels?
Exercise is my go-to method of stress relieving! I love to run, especially outside where I also get some fresh air, and enjoy training and running in races. I also like Crossfit-type workouts, yoga, swimming, and cycling. I also try and spend time journaling. I like to stay super organized to help maximize my time and to successfully juggle everything. Sleep is also important for me to keep my stress level down. 

What advice do you have for pre-health students who are struggling?
Get help early and talk to someone! Don’t be shy in seeking out guidance and getting your questions answered. Find someone in the class or two above you that is also on the pre-health path that can serve as a mentor. Try and get a plan in place so you know what you need to get done over the course of your undergraduate career. Also, be persistent and stay passionate about what you’re doing because it’s a long road, but definitely a rewarding one!