PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (WPVI) — Childhood cancer survivor Micaela Alpert is starting the next chapter of her journey as a medical student at the University of Pennsylvania.
22-year-old Alpert was diagnosed with cancer as an 8th-grade student during the 2016-2017 school year.
Despite a poor prognosis, her doctors at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia implemented a novel form of immunotherapy. It shrunk her tumors and allowed her to get back on her feet.
The New Jersey native became certified as an EMT in high school. For her Make-A-Wish trip, she chose to visit the Texas Heart Institute to shadow healthcare professionals and learn what life is like as a cardiothoracic surgeon.
During her undergraduate studies, she worked in the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia division of hematology. She graduated with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in May.
Last week, she donned the white coat to start her studies in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
She aspires to pursue a career in pediatric surgery, while also providing mentorship and educational opportunities to others.
Watch the video above to see what makes Alpert so passionate.
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