Abeln named top student in gross anatomy
The Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston has awarded fourth-year medical student Andrea Abeln with the 2026 Outstanding Student in Gross Anatomy Award.
Abeln entered medical school as a nontraditional student after leaving her career as a project director in the energy industry. Her background is in engineering, where she spent eight years in her previous career.
Abeln said she knew when she started school that she wanted to do something surgical, but it took her a while to figure out what type. After exploring orthopedics, general surgery, and OB-GYN, she found that she was most passionate about caring for women and loved gynecologic surgery.
“I am heading to Colorado for residency in OB-GYN, and I could not be more excited,” she said. “I don’t know yet if I will complete a fellowship or practice as a generalist, but I hope to pursue academic medicine.”
Abeln has found a love for teaching in medical school, beginning with leading anatomy reviews in her first year, continuing as a pedagogue in anatomy in her second year, and culminating in writing case files for textbooks and recording virtual study reviews.
“I make a point to share with future students and applicants that the anatomy lab at McGovern Medical School sets us apart from other schools,” she said. “Completing a full head-to-toe dissection is immensely valuable to our education in all aspects of medicine and cannot be replaced. The anatomy curriculum has been one of my favorite things about attending McGovern Medical School. I knew from year one that I would be doing the applied anatomy elective during my fourth year.”