Beyond Grades: How Jonathon Lewis Rebuilt After Academic Setbacks and Committed to Equity in Healthcare

Estimated Read time: 10 minutes

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"Please do not feel the need to rush your application; the average age of a medical student is 24, meaning it is standard for students to take a year off after their senior year. If I could go back to the beginning of my journey, I would’ve tried to emphasize my clinical research more. Although research is in no way required to get into medical school, it would have been a fantastic way for my application to stand out."

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Jonathon Lewis Headshot

Jonathon Lewis

Med School: University of Louisville School of Medicine
Expected Graduation Year: 2027
College & Major: Northwestern University, Neuroscience, 2020

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Background

  • Jonathon attended the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) at the University of Louisville in the summer of 2017.
  • During his sophomore year of high school, he participated in a mission trip to Haiti where he and others provided school supplies to a partner school. Upon return, he worked with students and faculty to fundraise over $800,000 to build a new school.
  • In his sophomore year of college, he began doing spinal cord injury research at Feinberg Medical School, then volunteered at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
  • In 2020, he began working as a medical scribe in Chicago and was able to shadow physicians and scribe in a healthcare setting.
  • He completed a Master’s in Physiology at the University of Michigan to strengthen his academic record, after his undergraduate university moved to Pass/Fail system during the pandemic, limiting his ability to improve his undergraduate GPA.  
  • He was accepted to the University of Louisville School of Medicine for his commitment to serving his community and alignment with the school’s mission.


Experiences

Jonathon Lewis’s interest in medicine began from a young age with a single interaction with an orthopedic doctor. Diagnosed with Sever’s disease, a condition affecting the growth plates in his feet, Jonathon was heartbroken to learn he would not be able to continue playing football. Jonothan recalled his doctor advising, “If you keep your grades up, you can take over for me one day.” Over time, Jonathon kept this memory in mind as he became fascinated with the idea of a career as a future physician.

Jonathon shadowed physicians throughout high school and also participated in a mission trip to Haiti in his sophomore year. During this experience, he “built good relationships with the locals and delivered school supplies to the children there…[and] listened to what many of the village leaders said they needed, which was a school for the children.” Upon returning home, Jonathon collaborated with a group of students and faculty to lead fundraising efforts for the construction of a new school. Jonathon shared insights from his experiences in Haiti while speaking at events attended by students, alumni, and donors. Ultimately, the group raised over $800,000 to build a new school in Haiti.

At Northwestern University, Jonathon began researching medical school preparatory programs for undergraduate students and discovered the Summer Health Professions Education program (SHPEP) at the University of Louisville (UofL). He participated in the program the summer following his first year. There, he connected with faculty and medical students and gained valuable insight into the medical school application process. During his time at the school, he became familiar with the campus, developed a fondness for its mission and focus, and had the opportunity to meet with the admissions dean, who outlined the specific requirements for admission.

Jonathon continued to build on his experiences while in undergrad. During the spring of his sophomore year, he began doing incomplete spinal cord injury research at Feinberg Medical School. He shared, “I found this opportunity by first asking my college advisor about research positions. [He] told me to look at the school research website and filter for labs that I found interesting. I found the incomplete spinal cord injury lab fascinating due to the patient population they worked with and the technology they used.” Jonathon expressed his interest to the work in the lab and contributed to several of his research projects.

During his junior year, he began volunteering at Northwestern Memorial Hospital as a hospital assistant, a role he discovered through a college friend. Through this opportunity, he said, “I was able to learn what it's like to be in an inpatient facility and see what the day-to-day activities are like in the hospital.”

"After failing physiology during my sophomore year, I retook it my junior year but later earned a master’s in physiology to prove my academic strength to medical schools," said Jonathon. "I have lofty goals for my future as a physician. One of my main drivers for pursuing medicine is to help close the health inequity gap in underserved populations."

In the Fall of 2020, Jonathon worked as a medical scribe for Oak Street Health, where he prepped patient charts for morning rounds and communicated with medical assistants, phlebotomists, and physicians to improve patient care. While working at Oak Street Health, he gained firsthand experience providing care to underserved communities.

While there, I witnessed the closing of Mercy Hospital, which was the community’s only hospital that provided comprehensive specialty care. Due to Mercy's closing, patients who came to our medical clinic needed to be referred to hospitals that were now 30–40-minute drives away from them. Since many relied on public transportation, their commutes to receive care lasted upwards of an hour. They also reported that their issues were not taken seriously after visiting these hospitals.”

This experience was a key factor in solidifying Jonathon’s future goals. He shared, “Working at Oak Street Health has changed my entire motive for attending medical school, and I now feel a sense of purpose and duty in my pursuits. I want to become an orthopedic surgeon and use my resources and network to help create affordable specialty medical centers that can help underserved populations.”

As a first-generation medical student, Jonathon brings a deep understanding of patient care and a strong passion for health equity. One of the main driving forces that shaped his application process was witnessing the impact of healthcare disparities firsthand. He shared, “As an African American aspiring physician who works for a company serving underserved communities, patients have felt very comfortable detailing to me the prejudices they have experienced in hospitals. Hearing their stories has allowed me to learn the dos and don'ts of providing equitable healthcare.”



How Jonathon Addressed Deficits or Concerns in His Application

Before Jonathon began his application, he realized his GPA was not where it should ideally be, because he took chemistry and physiology together before preparing to do so. Ultimately, he failed both classes and recalled how he went through a tough period. He shared, “I doubted myself and if I even had a path to becoming a doctor. However, I kept working and improved my grades slowly over the next three years.”

In the spring of that year, he found a new sense of direction through his research at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (NU/FSM) and his volunteer work at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. By the time he reached senior year, his GPA had improved. Unfortunately, in the spring of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced NU/FSM to become pass/fail. Jonathon explained, “This meant I would no longer be able to improve my GPA, which was still recovering from my sophomore year.”

This led Jonathon to reach out to the student success coordinator at the University of Louisville’s Student Affairs office, whom he’d met while attending SHPEP. They discussed his potential readiness, reviewed his current experiences, GPA, and spoke about the competitiveness of his application. The coordinator informed Jonathon that even with a perfect MCAT score, his GPA and current experiences would likely not be sufficient for admission to medical school. They suggested he pursue a graduate degree to strengthen his GPA and demonstrate academic readiness.

Jonathon recalled, “Although it was complex information, considering I worked so hard to feel confident about my application, I knew deep down that my GPA was still lacking, and I agreed that graduate school may be the best thing to fix it.”

He studied for the GMAT and researched the graduate programs for preparing students for medical school. Eventually, he found and was accepted into the University of Michigan’s Master's in Physiology program. The rigorous coursework and dedicated faculty helped
demonstrate he was ready for medical school.

During the summer of 2022, he graduated from his master’s program, took the MCAT, applied to 25 medical schools, and received one interview and acceptance from the University of Louisville School of Medicine.



University of Louisville School of Medicine on Why They Chose Jonathon

University of Louisville School of Medicine (ULSOM) chose Jonathon because his application clearly reflected the school’s mission and values and demonstrated several key competencies.

According to Ms. Jennifer Coffey, Director of Admissions at ULSOM, although “Jonathon wasn’t as strong” as some other applicants academically, she shared that “his essays and extracurricular activities compelled the admissions committee to give him further consideration.”

“His compassion for others came through in the descriptions of his experiences and in his personal essay,” Ms. Coffey explained. “Even when he talked about his struggles to get to this point in his journey, he never lost sight of his goals. He has had to overcome so much and still wants to give back what he has learned to his peers,” she added.

When considering his application, the medical school admissions committee also noted this commitment to serving underserved populations. Jennifer Coffey, director of admissions at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, explained, “Through [Jonathon’s] response to our secondary application question, [Jonathon] showed how his cultural experiences shaped the way he sees himself contributing to the medical field and strengthened his ability to provide equitable care for a diverse patient population.”

 Jonathon’s experience as a member of his college rugby team showed his competency with teamwork and collaboration, as well as interpersonal skills. His participation in the SHPEP program at ULSOM also strengthened his candidacy. Ms. Coffrey shared, “Having had previous experience with Jonathon through SHPEP, we saw his drive and heart for others up close.” The program also helped deepen his connection to the greater Louisville area. “As a state-supported institution, we look for significant ties to the state and/or the university to help us identify non-resident applicants who may meet our mission,” Ms. Coffrey added.  

Jonathon’s involvement in service-oriented activities like the MEDLife program, which seeks to improve health conditions in third-world countries, also made him stand out. Ms. Coffey explained, “He was an active leader of this organization as a member of the executive board, specifically responsible for organizing fundraisers, recruiting new members, and assisting members with medical school information.”

While reading the letters of evaluation provided in the application, reviewers shared how Jonathon “was a reliable classmate on group projects and was resilient and adaptable when he struggled with academic materials. He wasn’t afraid to accept help and adjust his learning style,” which demonstrated his reliability and dependability.

Assistant Dean of Admissions and Associate Professor at ULSOM, Dr. Brittney Richardson, shared her thoughts about her experience with Jonathon, “his interview day has held true during his time in medical school. He has shown a solid academic performance while exhibiting service orientation through his involvement with We Got Next, a student-run mentoring program, and teamwork and collaboration through his medical school leadership position. He has developed great relationships with his peers and is often revered for his humility and kindness.


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Highlighted Competencies

Icon of person standing in front of arrows Commitment to Learning and Growth Commitment to Learning and Growth

Practices continuous personal and professional growth for improvement, including setting and communicating goals for learning and development; reflects on successes, challenges, and mistakes; pursues opportunities to improve knowledge and understanding; and asks for and incorporates feedback to learn and grow.

Demonstrating persistence by retaking failed classes, slowly improving GPA, and later completing a rigorous Master’s in Physiology program to strengthen his academic readiness.

Actively seeking feedback from advisors and the SHPEP coordinator about his application, then adjusting his trajectory (graduate program + MCAT prep) accordingly.

Icon of a globe Cultural Awareness Cultural Awareness

Appreciates how historical, sociocultural, political, and economic factors affect others’ interactions, behaviors, and well-being; values diversity; and demonstrates a desire to learn about different cultures, beliefs, and values.

Gaining early exposure to global health needs during the mission trip to Haiti, learning from local leaders about the community’s priorities (a new school).

Recognizing health disparities when working as a scribe at Oak Street Health, particularly the impact of hospital closures on underserved patients reliant on public transportation.

Icon of people in front of a globe Cultural Humility Cultural Humility

Seeks out and engages diverse and divergent perspectives with a desire to understand and willingness to adjust one’s mindset; understands a situation or idea from alternative viewpoints; reflects on one’s values, beliefs, and identities and how they may affect others; reflects on and addresses bias in oneself and others; and fosters a supportive environment that values inclusivity.

Listening deeply to patient narratives at Oak Street Health, where African American patients confided in him about prejudices in care, which shaped his vision of providing equitable healthcare.

Reflecting on his own position as an African American aspiring physician, and considering how this identity influences his role in advocating for equity in medicine.

Icon of a person with arm around another person Empathy and Compassion Empathy and Compassion Recognizes, understands, and acknowledges others’ experiences, feelings, perspectives, and reactions to situations; is sensitive to others’ needs and feelings; and demonstrates a desire to help others and alleviate others’ distress.

Building meaningful relationships with Haitian community members and fundraising to improve children’s education.

Icon of two hands shaking in front of a heart Interpersonal Skills Interpersonal Skills Demonstrates an awareness of how social and behavioral cues affect people’s interactions and behaviors; adjusts behaviors appropriately in response to these cues; recognizes and manages one’s emotions and understands how emotions impact others or a situation; and treats others with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Collaborating with peers and faculty during fundraising for Haiti, and later as part of research and hospital volunteer teams.

Icon of three people talking Oral Communication Oral Communication

Effectively conveys information to others using spoken words and sentences; actively listens to understand the meaning and intent behind what others say; and recognizes potential communication barriers and adjusts approach or clarifies information as needed.

Public speaking to alumni, donors, and peers during fundraising efforts for Haiti, effectively conveying his message and inspiring action.

Icon of a person climbing stairs Resilience and Adaptability Resilience and Adaptability Perseveres in challenging, stressful, or ambiguous environments or situations by adjusting behavior or approach in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles, and recognizes and seeks help and support when needed; recovers from and reflects on setbacks; and balances personal well-being with responsibilities.

Adapting to unexpected challenges like COVID-19 pass/fail grading and finding alternative ways to demonstrate academic readiness.

Icon of two hands holding a globe Service Orientation Service Orientation

Shows a commitment to something larger than oneself; demonstrates dedication to service and a commitment to making meaningful contributions that meet the needs of communities.

Leading fundraising to build a school in Haiti, directly meeting the expressed needs of the community.

Icon showing four hands meeting in the middle Teamwork and Collaboration Teamwork and Collaboration Collaborates with others to achieve shared goals and prioritizes shared goals; adjusts role between team member and leader based on one’s own and others’ expertise and experience; shares information with team members and encourages this behavior in others; and gives and accepts feedback to improve team performance.

Playing rugby in college, fostering teamwork and discipline, and carrying those skills into medical school leadership and mentoring roles.

Icon of beakers Scientific Inquiry Scientific Inquiry

Applies knowledge of the scientific process to integrate and synthesize information, solve problems, and formulate research questions and hypotheses; is facile in the language of the sciences and uses it to participate in the discourse of science and explain how scientific knowledge is discovered and validated.

Applying research skills in an incomplete spinal cord injury lab, engaging with scientific methods, and contributing to projects that improved his analytical thinking.

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Strongest Competencies
  • Icon of people in front of a globe
  • Icon of a person climbing stairs
  • Icon of two hands holding a globe
Jonathon's Tips
  • Get clinical experience. Students often get swept up in worrying about grades and exam scores, and while those are important, having clinical experience is equally as important. Getting clinical experience shows that you are committed to a career in medicine and can be a great way to separate yourself from your application.
  • Get to know faculty. Faculty play a massive role in deciding who is admitted into the school. Getting to know faculty beforehand can set you apart from other applicants. You can do this by attending summer camps hosted by the medical school or conducting research with medical school investigators.
  • Don’t rush your application. Medical school will always be there for you, and each year, the average age of a first-year student increase. It’s never wrong to take some time off from school to improve your resume or get your experiences in order.
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