First Generation College and Medical Student is Ready to Find her Match

“I really didn't know that I wanted to pursue medicine until after my sister experienced an anoxic brain injury,” says Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) student Lauren Beranek, who was a freshman in college at the time. “That was my first personal introduction to medicine and neurology, which is the specialty that I'm going into. I believe that was the launching point to my career.”

Now, just months away from graduation, she’s counting down the days to another pivotal moment in her life. March 21, 2025, is Match Day, when Beranek and fellow MCW students join thousands across the country in learning where they’ll complete the next leg of their training. All are participants in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP), or Match, which places medical students with residency program based on mutual interest.

Last year, MCW students found their Match in 33 different states. As for Beranek, she’s not sure where she’ll land for her residency in neurology, but she is thankful for the path she’s taken so far.

Road to MCW-Central Wisconsin Campus

The oldest of seven children raised in rural Marathon, WI, Beranek worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant in high school.

"I got an inkling then that I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare,” she says.

Her sister’s traumatic injury helped her learn more about the field, as she interacted regularly with the healthcare team. Through that experience, she gained an appreciation for the autonomy and leadership the team displayed, and also recognized that she held those qualities.

She was accepted to MCW-Central Wisconsin in Wausau, WI, near her hometown. It was the perfect fit in more ways than one. Her husband was a graduating medical student who was about to begin his residency in Wausau.

“It was just a perfect situation in that I was able to be close to my family, close to my husband, and still get a great education,” she says.

Beranek says she appreciated the accelerated pace of the three-year program at MCW-Central Wisconsin. But, most of all, she appreciated the people she’s met along the way.

“The patients, teachers, support staff, and the attending physicians that have graciously offered their time to teach me have all been wonderful,” she says. “I've been very happy with my experience here.”

In particular, she says she has greatly benefited from the mentorship she received at MCW, including from Ahmed Obeidat, MD, PhD, associate professor of neurology, and Colette Solatka, MD, assistant professor of medicine.

“I have been doing research with Dr. Obeidat since my second year of medical school,” Beranek says. “He's given me so much guidance and inspiration toward pursuing a career in medicine.”

She’s also received advice from several female mentors, which inspires her to do the same in the future.

“There have been so many physicians that have really looked out for me, and I would love to pass that along when I have the opportunity to give back,” she says.

Beranek isn’t sure what her practice will look like in the future, but ideally it will have a combination of research, education and clinical care. One thing she does know is that her goal is to come back to the Northwoods and serve rural residents.

“I very much am drawn to central Wisconsin and rural Wisconsin in general due to the kindness of people up here. It's just a warm, inviting community,” Beranek says.

It’s also a community that has great needs, as doctor shortages and limited resources often result in long waits and far travels for residents seeking more complicated care.

“Ultimately my goal is to be able to have opportunities available to ensure that health disparities are mitigated as much as possible,” she says.