Alyssa Milbee

Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine’s MD program

Hometown: Teays Valley, West Virginia

Graduating from medical school in Spring 2026

Undergraduate degree and major:

I graduated from Marshall University's College of Science in December 2021 with bachelor's degrees in biological sciences and health sciences along with minors in chemistry and pre-professional health care studies. I also was a member of the Honors College.

What inspired you to go into medicine?

I've always loved the idea of helping patients and their families understand what might be happening when they have questions. It's a blessing to be able to learn so much information and to communicate what you've learned to someone else. Medicine has always interested me because at any stage of the career, there is still more to understand.

What type of medicine do you want to go into and why?

I'll be applying to pediatric residency programs this fall. I love working with children, and I'm so lucky to have the opportunity to become a pediatrician.

While completing clinical rotations during medical school, I really enjoyed exploring opportunities in pediatric hospital medicine and additionally have interests in a few pediatric subspecialties. I love that the field of pediatrics is so deeply rooted in advocacy and education. As a physician, personal goals of mine include participating in community and school-based health initiatives and public health policy.

What are some of your extracurricular activities?

I'm one of our school's Learning Community Leaders through the Office of Student Affairs, a role in which I've helped to establish community service partnerships, plan orientations and study sessions, and create mentorship opportunities for other medical students. I've worked as a research assistant for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Department of Pediatrics and the Marshall University Research Corporation while attending medical school. As a fun project last summer, I contributed as an associate author for McGraw Hill's 2025 Edition of First Aid for the USMLE Step 1, a resource utilized by medical students in preparation for the first of three national medical licensing exams.

What are some of your favorite experiences as a Marshall student?

One of my favorite memories as a student at Marshall was learning that I had been accepted into medical school. I remember receiving my first acceptance phone call during an undergraduate lecture in the Science Building on Marshall's main campus and realizing that my life was about to change.

Who and what helped you get here?

I've been incredibly fortunate to have received scholarships to cover the cost of my education while attending Marshall's School of Medicine, something that I don't take for granted as I prepare to begin my career and to hopefully invest in the future of medical education and interventions for our children. I have so many special people to thank for continuing to pray for me, check in on me and support my dream of becoming a pediatrician.

What are you passionate about and why is it important?

I think simply taking the time to listen to what others have to say, with an intention to understand rather than just respond, is the most important investment in any relationship. I love to listen to the stories that children and their families want to share, and I can say with confidence that I've learned just as much from my patients thus far as they have learned from me.

As I near the end of medical school, I realize just how important it is to pursue what you are truly passionate about and to believe that you have a dream for a reason.