Illinois Medicine

Novak (second from right), who enjoyed the mix of talent and diversity at the college, celebrates the completion of her medical degree with her proud family outside of the UIC Pavilion. become other people's problems." But she is as grateful as she is focused. Scholarships from the Class of 1950 have made her medical education possible. "I'm very fortunate," Novak says. "I didn't know if medical school was going to be feasible." She has made the most of the opportunity. Back in March, she received her match—she'll do her intern year at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, where she did a rotation last summer, arguably the most com- petitive residency position in the country based on board scores and applicant-to-position ratio. After that, she'll return to Chicago to Northwestern Univer- sity to train in radiation oncology. "Both programs are phenomenal, and I'm absolutely thrilled. It's re- ally a dream come true," she says. But Novak is most proud of being a product of the College of Medicine. "I feel so lucky to be counted among my peers," she says. "I have some incredibly talented classmates, and it's been wonderful working with all of them. Our class is so diverse, and I think that's probably one of the things that really sets UIC apart from other medical schools. Our facilities aren't as swanky as some of the nearby private institutions, but people are the most valuable commodity a school can offer, and our people are outstanding." Among the college's chief attributes, Novak says, is the hands-on experience that begins early. Witnessing her first cancer surgery was especially compelling. "UIC gives students the opportunity for early clinical ex- posure, and I did a small precep- torship with the chief resident of surgery," she says. "It was an open nephrectomy (removal of the kid- ney) for a renal cell carcinoma. At the time, the only body I had seen was my cadaver in anatomy lab, and I remember being absolutely spellbound by how different a liv- ing body appeared." A cadaver's organs and vessels are often shriveled and look waxy, "but in life they are so exquisitely bright," Novak adds. "I remember thinking, 'This is why we refer to colors as vivid.' Also— and maybe this was sibylline given my career choice—I remember the stark contrast between healthy tissue and cancerous tissue. The tumor was dark, necrotic and ugly, and stood out in a landscape of yellow and red and blue." Even mundane activities came alive. Novak says that was never more apparent than when she and her roommate would soak up some extra learning by visiting the University of Illinois Hospital for the routine of morn- ing reports. "Every morning, the residents present a case to an attending who solves it, running through the differential diagnosis and work-up out loud. It allows you the opportunity to learn the thought process of experienced se- nior physicians," she says. "Doctor PHOTO: DIANE SMUTNEY [Fred] Zar—who teaches patho- physiology to the second-year stu- dents—went every Thursday. He's brilliant, and an important men- tor to many students. My room- mate and I would sit rapt while he navigated through complicated cases, pausing to offer interesting historical anecdotes." Zar, one of Novak's profes- sors and the vice head of educa- tion for the department of medi- cine, returned the compliment, saying Novak's potential has long been obvious. "Caroline is an amazing student," he says. "On paper she has excellent test scores, prior re- search and considerable volunteer and extracurricular activities. But what makes her incredible is she truly believes that the opportunity to become a physician is a gift with which she has been blessed, and therefore should not be squandered." Zar says he believes Novak has the temperament to be an excellent physician. 22 | SUMMER 2 011

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