Randolph-Macon College alumna Priscilla Koirala ’18 has wanted to be a doctor since she was 11 years old. Thanks to hard work and determination, she’s on her way to reaching her goal. In conjunction with the Preferred Applicant Track Agreement between RMC and Virginia Commonwealth University, Koirala, a chemistry major and Spanish minor, will begin graduate studies at VCU’s School of Medicine this summer. Koirala, whose family is from Nepal, was born in Okayama, Japan and grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Prepping for Medical School
Koirala is a Wornom Fellow, one of seven RMC pre-med students who receive a full-tuition scholarship each year thanks to the Dr. Paul H. Wornom Pre-Medicine Endowment. The endowment also provides research, internship, and shadowing opportunities; and preparation for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).

Josh Quinn, medical careers coordinator for The Edge, RMC’s career preparation program, worked with Koirala many times throughout the years.

“Josh helped me get an internship and find a volunteer position at a free clinic. He also edited my résumé and conducted mock interviews with me,” says Koirala. “He is a great mentor who really cares about students.”

Research + Discovery
Koirala twice participated in RMC’s Schapiro Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program, a unique opportunity to conduct 10 weeks of research under the guidance of a faculty mentor. After researching the synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of platinum, palladium, and nickel phosphinoferrocene complexes, she presented her research at national and international conferences.

At an internship at Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center in Hanover County, Koirala shadowed physicians in various specialties, which helped her understand how the healthcare system works. She also watched open-heart and other surgeries and learned the importance of teamwork—experiences that solidified her desire to go into medicine.

Campus Life
Koirala, a member of six honor societies—Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Lambda Upsilon, Chi Beta Phi, Sigma Delta Pi, Beta Beta Beta, and Omicron Delta Kappa—was a Spanish tutor for the Higgins Academic Center (HAC) and a member of the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society and the Pre-health Society.

A True Ambassador
“I have no doubt that Priscilla will be a fantastic physician,” says Quinn. “She has consistently volunteered to be an ambassador to prospective students by serving as an interviewer on the Wornom Fellowship Committee, answering questions at the majors fair, and mentoring incoming students. She is a truly caring individual, as evidenced by her volunteer work. I am confident that Priscilla will continue to utilize the time management, collaboration and research skills that she has developed at RMC to succeed in medical school and go on to provide great health care to her future patients.”