First-Time Parents Navigate the Demands of Medical School at NYMC
Medical School Isn’t Easy—But Raising a Child Gives It a Whole New Purpose
Starting medical school can feel daunting, from the first encounter in the anatomy lab to nerve-racking clinical rotations, performing procedures like placing IVs for the first time, and managing the immense load of medical terminology to memorize. For many New York Medical College (NYMC) students, the challenge is even greater as they navigate this demanding journey while also being first-time parents—scheduling pediatrician appointments, juggling childcare, and squeezing in study time during nap hours. But having a strong support system of spouses and loved ones, and compassionate faculty makes all the difference in helping them achieve their goals.
“I wasn't going to push off having a family to be in medical school because having a family is my priority,” said Rivka Bella Lefkowitz, SOM Class of 2028, who gave birth to her daughter a few weeks before starting her first year. “At the end of the day, my family is my priority, and my career is very important to me. I was going to find a way to juggle both. If there are things that are important to you, you're going to find a way to make it work.”
Lefkowitz is one of the many parents attending NYMC and finds support in this close-knit community. She couldn’t imagine being in any other career as medicine is a “stimulating field” and couldn’t picture going through that journey anywhere but NYMC. As a college under religious auspices, NYMC has provided her with an environment that respects Jewish observances and embraces a family-friendly culture, which has made all the difference in her journey.
Michael Cisneros, SOM Class of 2025, found himself at NYMC after working as an MRI tech and waking up one day and deciding he wanted to take his career to the next level and be more involved in patient care. He finally dusted off the MCAT books he had held onto for years and began studying. Engaged and soon to be married, his now wife was excited for him to begin the next chapter of his professional journey and also looked forward to achieving their familiar milestones ahead—like starting a family. Together they decided to conquer both.
“Knowing I had my wife, first daughter, and now my second daughter, depending on me really motivated me to give my best,” said Cisneros, who is the father of four-year-old and 11-month-old daughters and going on to Duke University for his radiology residency. “I never came home thinking, ‘I don’t feel like studying.’ It was always, ‘Okay, I’m home—time to study. I only have so much time.’ That mindset really helped me stay focused. Having my wife and daughters by my side truly pushed me to get to where I am today.”
While becoming a new parent is both exciting and filled with expected challenges, there are moments no one can truly prepare for. During medical school, Cisneros faced one of these moments when his children were hospitalized. When his oldest daughter was admitted during his first set of finals, the stressful time was made more manageable thanks to the support he received from faculty.
“They reached out to me right away,” he said. “Dr. Rachlin [senior associate dean of student affairs and associate professor of radiology] called me, and she connected me with several doctors I could speak with about my daughter’s condition.” Following his daughter’s recovery, Cisneros continued his medical school journey with a renewed sense of purpose.
Guy Elgar, SOM Class of 2025, is also no stranger to the unexpected challenges that come with parenting. As a father to a one-and-a-half-year-old son with another child on the way, he understands firsthand how unpredictable life can be, and having the support of his spouse and NYMC faculty has been incredibly important. His decision to pursue an M.D. was inspired by his clinical experiences in the emergency room and outpatient settings while initially following a pre-physical therapy track. After fitting in studying for exams while being a present parent, he looks ahead to watching his children grow along with his career. Starting residency this year at UC Davis Health in cardiothoracic surgery, he says he would do it all over again.
“I have no regrets at all,” said Elgar. “For anyone who's hesitant, having a child during medical school was one of the best decisions I've made. It made school more enjoyable and gave me extra motivation. Now that I've matched into a competitive residency—even in a traditionally intense field like cardiothoracic surgery—I can say from experience that being open about my journey as a parent was well-received during interviews and didn’t stop me from matching into a competitive residency.”
A proud mother of a three-year-old and three-month-old, Dalynah Maldonado-McGrath, M.S., right, SOM Class of 2025, echoes the sentiment by saying that “There is never a ‘right’ or ‘perfect time’ to become a parent.” From a special education teacher in Puerto Rico to earning a master’s degree in neuroscience and education at Columbia University to attending medical school, she has been a model of perseverance and purpose—showing her children that no goal is too ambitious, no matter how challenging the path.
“The challenges and hardships only last for a short amount of time,” said Maldonado-McGrath, who will be completing residency in neurology at Yale University. “To me the sweetest moment in all of this has been seeing my son, who is now three, dress up with his little scrubs that he asked for Christmas and walk around with his little stethoscope and say, "Mama I am a doctor, like you.”
