April Student of the Month: Kaitlynn McClellan, MS, OMS-II

ACOI recognizes osteopathic medical students who are outstanding members of their medical schools and communities with the Student of the Month Recognition Program.

Please join us in congratulating the April winner: Kaitlynn McClellan, MS, OMS-II, University of the Incarnate Word College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Student Doctor McClellan was nominated in recognition of her outstanding service and commitment to her school, community, and osteopathic internal medicine.

Student Doctor McClellan consistently engages in initiatives that promote diversity in medicine and support underserved communities, and participates in activities focused on mentorship, community outreach, and professional development. Currently, she serves as the President of the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine's (UIWSOM) student branch of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons (ACOS), as well as the Treasurer of its Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA). As part of the Learning Ambassador Program at UIWSOM, she conducts campus tours, offers personalized insight into the student experience to prospective students, facilitates new student interviews and admissions events, and represents UIWSOM at recruitment and outreach events. 

Student Doctor McClellan also lives out her passion for medical education and public health through her volunteer work with Outreach Medicine, providing vaccinations to those in underserved communities, and the American Medical Women’s Association, mentoring high school students interested in careers in medicine and higher education.

Her clinical interests include general surgery and surgical subspecialties; cardiology; and advancing health equity and improving access to care for underserved and minority populations. She has demonstrated impressive initiative in pursuing these and other interests through research in cadaveric anatomy, as well as through several posters on brachial plexus variation.

Student Doctor McClellan exemplifies the ideals of the osteopathic internal medicine community. Her combination of service, leadership, academic engagement, and professionalism reflects a deep commitment to patient care and lifelong learning.

Meet Kaitlynn McClellan

What is your hometown?
San Antonio, TX.

What is your education?
I earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, followed by a Master of Science in Medical Physiology from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. I’m currently a second year medical student at the University of Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine.

What made you interested in pursuing medicine?
My mom worked as an LVN in an internal medicine practice, and I would sit in the lobby after school waiting for her. I watched people come in sick and worried, and after seeing the doctor they just looked, different. Lighter. More reassured. I wanted to be the person who could give someone that sense of calm. I was also a curious kid who always had to know the reason behind everything, and as I got older that translated into a deep love of science, which is a big part of why I pursued my master's degree. But what ultimately brought me to medicine is the intersection of both, the science and the human connection. Being able to look a patient in the eye and let them know they aren't alone, that you're a team and you're going to figure it out together, that's what did it for me.

What are your hobbies?
I love trying new things, hiking, reading, watercoloring, really just picking up whatever looks interesting. But music has always been the constant. There's something about it that's completely encompassing in a way nothing else is, whether I'm listening or playing. I have a soprano saxophone and I’m drawn to everything from classical music to jazz.

What are three things people may not know about you?

• The soprano saxophone is actually one of five instruments I can play.
• I’ve trained my cat to not only play fetch but also catch!
• My commitment to serving low-income and minority communities runs deeper than a professional goal. I grew up in those communities, and taking care of the people who raised me is personal.

How has ACOI helped you in your education so far?
My school doesn't have an ACOI chapter, but the ACOI YouTube lecture series has honestly been one of the most useful things I've found. It has everything from EKG basics to how to design a research poster. As an OMS-II just getting into dedicated board prep, the lecture on passing the boards was particularly well-timed. It helped me step back and approach studying with more perspective instead of just diving in blindly. I really appreciate how much ACOI genuinely invests in students at every stage.

Do you have an idea of what specialty you would like to go into?
I'm drawn to cardiology, general surgery, and trauma/surgical critical care. Cardiology has been by favorite block so far and I loved showing in surgery. I think trauma / surgical critical care feels like the perfect blend of medicine and surgery, where you need to think like an internist and act like a surgeon. I'm still an OMS-II, so I'm letting my clinical experiences shape where I ultimately land, but I know I thrive when things are complex and fast-moving.