Student Spotlight: Kelly Shaughnessy
Katie DuBoff - January 24, 2022
Kelly Shaughnessy '22 is an aspiring physician. Read on to learn about her childhood
connection to Rosemont, her career goals, and her role in healthcare during the COVID-19
pandemic.
What led you to Rosemont?
I've known I wanted to come to Rosemont all throughout high school. I attended the lower school across the street, Holy Child School at Rosemont, and received my Reconciliation at the College's Chapel in second grade. In middle school, my class would go to Rosemont's dining hall and eat lunch with the college students. In this way, Rosemont has always felt like a second home for me. When I was awarded the Cornelian Scholarship, there was no question as to where I would spend my next four years in college.
What is your major/minor? Are you involved in campus organizations or sports?
I am a senior biology major with a biochemistry minor. I am a member of the pre-health club, and vice president of the cooking club. I was the captain of the cross-country team in my junior and senior year, and I play tennis in the spring.
What is your favorite thing about Rosemont?
My favorite thing about Rosemont is the small community. I have developed close relationships with my fellow biology classmates and professors, and I know that I can count on them to help me through my time at Rosemont and keep me focused on my goal of becoming a physician.
How did you get involved in working at a COVID-19 testing site?
I co-manage a COVID-19 testing site in Sharon Hill, where I register and swab patients as well as run their antigen tests and update the patients on their results. I wanted to do covid testing because I knew this would be a small way I could help the community during the pandemic and gain important experience in my desired field.
What are your career aspirations after college?
After graduation, I will be doing research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) on heterotopic ossification, or the study of bone in soft tissue, where bone normally does not exist. This summer I will take the MCAT exam, and I plan to attend medical school to become an OB/GYN. I am drawn to the OB/GYN specialty because it is my dream to deliver babies while taking care of women's health.
Did you always know you wanted to become a physician?
I did not always know that I wanted to be a physician. At the beginning of college, I declared my major as biology because I wanted to challenge myself through the difficult coursework. After my first biology class, I knew this field was something I was really interested in, and this is when I first thought about possibly becoming a physician. It wasn't until I began my work at a COVID-19 testing site in January 2021 that I became sure of this career path. I fell in love with the patient interaction: greeting them, taking their medical history, and then being able to administer the swabs and explaining their results. I hope to continue making a difference in people's lives.