ABSTRACT
Kelsey Zhang is a restaurant enthusiast and MD-PhD student who has completed her third year of medical school and is working on her doctoral research. Medical school has been very tough. She was unused to the style of learning and struggled juggling academic, family, cultural and social pressures, unrealized culinary ambitions, and depression. Though greatly supported by her medical school, she felt violated when forced to disclose her mental health problems to the deans. She has also faced identity management issues and trouble deciding on a career path. Fortunately, aided by her friends and colleagues, alongside psychotherapy and medication, she has gained insight and the ability to get through her hardest times.
