Nili Amir, SOM ’21, an aspiring OB/GYN, was born at UMass Memorial Medical Center on Aug. 3, 1992. Last week, on her birthday, Amir had the privilege of helping to deliver babies at the same hospital.
“I’m sure there are many OB/GYNs who get to deliver a baby on their birthday, but not many get to do it in the hospital where they were born and at the same time of day they were born,” said Amir, who is doing rotations in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology as she prepares to apply for residency. “It was an extremely special moment and felt that everything came full circle.”
Amir grew up in Worcester but moved west to receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance from the University of Arizona. Her interest in anatomy and physiology steered her toward a career in medicine.
“As a dancer, I was curious about the human body, and I knew how much effort went into physical maintenance for athletes,” Amir said. “After college, I did clinical research in the OB/GYN department at UMass Medical School. That exposure truly solidified my decision to enter the medical field and gave me a glimpse into the career of an OB/GYN. I have found great joy being a part of this school and caring for the community I was raised in.”
Between her third and fourth year in the medical school, Amir completed a master’s in clinical investigation through the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, in order to broaden her educational experience as well as her research and advocacy. Typically, the degree is achieved in a two-year program; however for medical students, the degree can be condensed into one year.
“I want to work closely with women with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” she said. “I’m grateful to have had the chance to learn alongside PhD students and approach science from a different angle.”
Third and fourth-year SOM students have been working throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, performing rotations at their respective clinics and hospitals. Amir said it is a good opportunity to apply her knowledge and learn new skills.
“I feel like we are getting the experience that we need to become good doctors. UMMS has done a great job integrating us into the hospitals and doing their best to keep our exposure low as well,” she said.
“I find OB/GYN to be a perfect mix of acuity, surgical and medical applications. We maintain longitudinal care, standing by a woman throughout their pregnancies, or carrying a woman from puberty through menopause. I really value those relationships this position has given me.”