Andrew Gordon
“WVU has prepared me to be a clinician by showing me how to tailor my thought process to each patient that comes in. With preventative and lifestyle care especially, you need to look at each patient who comes in through a different lens and let them tell their story.”
Andrew Gordon is a second-year medical student at West Virginia University with the goal of working in preventative and lifestyle medicine to help his future patients understand the value of a heart-healthy lifestyle that includes exercise and nutrition in combating many common diseases.
His dedication to the work has led him to be only a few weeks away from receiving his white coat, which symbolizes the transition from basic sciences education to more clinical-based training.
“I think that once I get that white coat, I’m ready to take on whatever is thrown at me,” Gordon said. “It represents the fact that I've made it this far. I made it through some of the hardest classes that I've ever taken. I have the drive and the passion to finish strong.”
For Gordon, West Virginia University has been a major part of getting him to where he is now. After working at Ruby Memorial as a certified nursing assistant for about two years, he decided that his calling was to be a physician.
“WVU has prepared me to be a clinician by showing me how to tailor my thought process to each patient that comes in. With preventative and lifestyle care especially, you need to look at each patient who comes in through a different lens and let them tell their story. Solving immediate problems in communities is a huge focus of the program, but this gives a way to improve both individual and community health long term,” he said.
Gordon has chosen the Culinary Lifestyle Medicine Track at the School of Medicine, which is designed to increase the understanding and appreciation of nutrition development; food science; food preparation; and lifestyle management skills. This program, paired with the unique feature of offering certification after graduation, was a major factor in his decision to choose WVU.
Within his pathways and the college, Gordon says that one thing is clear.
"The collaborative environment is what stands out. Our classmates support each other, and the program offers so many diverse opportunities—research, clinical teaching, medical education and administration. You have the freedom to explore with the support of everyone around you.”