For many aspiring medical professionals, the journey to becoming a physician can feel like navigating a complex maze. For Evan Beilfuss and Maci Burgener, their paths converged at SIU School of Medicine, where a unique combination of master's-level preparation and rural-focused training has them poised to deliver advanced health care. The first step for both students was the Biomedical Sciences Master’s (BMS) Program at SIU. This one-year, non-thesis master’s degree enhances students’ competitiveness for medical school through rigorous coursework and personalized application support. “The BMS