Newest Faces of McGovern: Neel Aligave
What inspired you to want to pursue a career in medicine?
Growing up with parents who worked long hours, I often spent afternoons after school with my neighbors, the Andersons. I remember learning about the brain during middle school biology and was fascinated by it, and Mr. Anderson bought me a book on neuroscience by Dr. Michio Kaku and took me to the local science museum that had a brain exhibit.
When I was in high school, Mr. Anderson was often sick and was eventually diagnosed with lung cancer. I used to take him to his doctors appointments and saw how caring and understanding the physicians were in explaining his condition to us and figuring out the next steps in his treatment. Seeing the doctor’s combination of empathy and medical expertise exemplified the kind of work I hoped to do and sparked my interest in medicine.
Why did you choose McGovern Medical School?
One of the most consistent themes I have seen while at McGovern is the supportive and collaborative nature of the learning environment as well as the students and faculty. My undergraduate school had a similar atmosphere in which students and faculty both wanted to help everyone be the best they could be and see them succeed, and I thrived there. McGovern also mirrors this family-like environment that fosters the best learning potential for students and this matters to me a lot.
Also, to take a military metaphor, McGovern’s curriculum follows a logical “train like you fight” analogy in designing exams that prepare students for success on the board exams. In the Army, we always hold ourselves to the same standards in which we expect to fight in, so our training is equally as rigorous and applicable to the scenario so that we are best prepared to execute the mission.
What motivates you?
Mentoring others has a deep importance to me because it provides a way to cultivate warm relations and mutual support. In college, when I noticed that some underclassmen ROTC cadets struggled with the transition from high school to college in both academics and in time management, I recognized the same signs of frustration and burnout in them that I felt as a freshman when I similarly struggled to adjust my study habits and to manage my time well.
After some reflection, I thought of a way to provide support to pre-med cadets and developed an Academic Resource Library with information on time management, MCAT preparation, etc. As part of this legacy, I served as an experienced mentor who guided them with the hope that they will pay it forward. This experience gave me newfound appreciation for my own struggles because it allowed me to take what I learned and make it easier, leading them on the same difficult path while showing support and loyalty to the new cadets.
In that moment, I felt pride in the fact that I helped educate the next generation. The ability to develop excellence in those around me through my leadership skills and passion for teaching and service to others is one that I want to continue to develop as a medical student and future physician.
Who is your hero?
The COVID pandemic made connecting with doctors difficult, but I found Dr. Robison, a pediatric cardiac intensivist at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. What stood out to me the most about Dr. Robison was his fundamental approach to medicine and patient care and his enthusiasm for teaching and mentoring.
While on rounds, Dr. Robison worked as part of a team with other physicians and nurses, ensuring that everyone felt included and that their ideas were heard, and prioritized patient care with the utmost importance. His interactions with patients and their families exemplified his dedication to service.
One patient was on the transplant list for a new heart and her parents were nervous for good news. A few weeks later, they found a suitable heart and Dr. Robison presented a clear medical plan with the rest of the team to assuage the patient’s concerns. I saw the tension on the family’s faces transform into joy and this experience reaffirmed the reason I chose this path.
Witnessing Dr. Robison’s combination of empathy and medical expertise exemplified the kind of physician that I aspire to be. His attention to detail and kind bedside manner led me to pursue a medical education so that I can serve future patients in the same way. Instilling hope and forming meaningful connections with people is an attribute that I most wholeheartedly treasure and my mentor, Dr. Robison, embodied all of these traits. I hope to become a thoughtful, compassionate physician who does not just focus on patient care, but also mentors people new to the field, sharing my experience like Dr. Robison did with me.
What is your ultimate goal for your career in medicine?
I participated in the Army ROTC program during college and earned my commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in May 2022. I aim to combine the best parts of the military and medicine in order to create a lifestyle of purpose, motivation, and drive to become the best I can be for both me and my future patients.
My experience so far in the U.S. Army has been invaluable in helping me become more disciplined and confident in my ability to take on any task and see it to success, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. In the future, I hope to be pursuing a surgical specialty (cardiothoracic or trauma surgery) in the civilian academic field while serving as an Army Reserves physician ready to serve when our nation calls on us.
What kind of emotions do you feel as you’re ready to begin medical school?
For the months leading up to the start of classes, I’ve felt a combination of nervous excitement and anticipation. The path to get to this position has had its trials and tribulations, but I was able to adapt and overcome, and now I cannot wait to get started with the next step of the journey. In addition, meeting my classmates these past few weeks has put me at ease and having friendly and welcoming people along with me is the best feeling in the world.
What are you looking forward to most about medical school?
Of all the aspects of medical school to look forward to, I would have to say that the opportunity to finally apply all the information we learned throughout our undergraduate careers is what is most exciting. Back in college, I remember being stuck in the sea of cells and molecular biology, and couldn’t wait to be able to see and apply this information to the bigger picture. Now with the first day of classes right around the corner, I cannot wait to jump right in and experience all that medicine has to offer and make lifelong friends throughout the journey.
If you had to pick a medical specialty right now, what would it be and why?
I have had the opportunity to observe a variety of specialties, both medical and surgical. However, surgical fields have always fascinated me because you are able to start from scratch and piece together the situation based on clues given and make a definite repair of the issue surgically if the patient requires it for their wellbeing.
The ability to work with your hands in order to directly create a solution for a problem is rewarding, as is the immediate benefit of seeing your work make the patient feel better. My mentors in college were a congenital cardiac surgeon and a pediatric cardiac intensivist, and the combination of the intricacy of cardiac surgery and the ability of pediatric patients to bounce back from tough and difficult procedures is a really inspirational field to me.
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