RISE-ing to the occasion
Second-year medical student Hendrick Hamilton (right) attended the Association of American Medical College’s summer leadership conference. Surrounded by strangers who were actually peers, he learned some valuable lessons for professional and personal growth.
I was excited when I received an email this spring saying I’d been nominated to attend the AAMC’s RISE Leadership Conference in Washington, DC. But I also heard that voice in the back of my head: Am I really the person for the job?
On June 20, as I was walking into the AAMC headquarters—the same organization behind the MCAT, the same logo tied to my application cycle and all the mixed emotions that came with it—I felt a wave of imposter syndrome.
The first day focused on self-reflection. One of my biggest takeaways was learning that growth isn’t just about fixing our weaknesses—it’s about recognizing and leaning into our strengths. That mindset shift stuck with me, and I know it will shape how I move through medical school and beyond.
What stood out most were the conversations with other students. I expected to talk mostly about academics, but we spent more time sharing our backgrounds, what led us to medicine, and discussing the kind of physicians we want to become. The diversity of paths to medicine was eye-opening, and it reminded me that the end goal is becoming a physician, but everyone gets there in their own way.
The idea that you shouldn’t compare yourself to others really hit home. That voice in your head always tries to tear you down, but the truth is, no one else is doing exactly what you’re doing, and you aren’t doing everything they are. We’re each following the route that’s best for us.
The breakout groups and table discussions were where I learned the most. Hearing about different schools, their structures and student cultures gave me a broader perspective and helped me to better appreciate my own institution.
More than anything, the conference reaffirmed something I’ve always felt: I want to stay in Springfield. This is the community that shaped me, and this experience made it even clearer that I want to give back as a physician and a leader. SIU School of Medicine and its surrounding area truly embody the idea that “it takes a village”—and I’m proud to be part of that village.
