Class of 1999 Rosemary Sampogna Rosemary Sampogna has been Dr. Sampogna from Day 1 of medical school. She received a Ph.D. degree in biochemistry and molecular biophysics from Columbia in 1995. She started higher education intending to become a basic scientist but turned to medicine when she found research to be isolating and removed from day-to-day personal interaction. A graduate of Syracuse University, Dr. Sampogna is fluent in Italian and has a good working knowledge of Spanish. While at Columbia, she has studied classical organ with Dr. George Stauffer and is currently the organ scholar at St. Paul’s Chapel. Hometown: Syracuse, N.Y. Undergraduate major: chemistry Residency: internal medicine at Columbia-Presbyterian Career aspiration: physician scientist Favorite P&S course: “Pathophysiology” Favorite P&S teacher: Dr. Glenda Garvey Favorite New York restaurant: Taka One attribute that I believe helped me get admitted to P&S: having a strong technical/research background (a Ph.D. in biophysics) Most memorable experience at P&S: my Harlem Hospital neurology clinical clerkship The first job I ever had: church organist at age 12 Best hospital rotation and why: The Allen ICU sub-internship, which exposed me to the integration of the science of medicine, the technical complexities of medical treatment, and the interpersonal relationships required for patient care P&S faculty member with whom I most closely identify: Dr. Donald Landry (though this is only because our backgrounds are similar, not because I have his energy, talent, and motivation) Favorite activity outside medical school: music. I have played (organ and bassoon) most of my life and have continued throughout medical school. It helps during times of stress and keeps me connected to the outside world. Personal hero: my father, for never backing down in the face of adversity Second choice for a career: research scientist Why I want to be a doctor: Medicine allows me to apply my interest in basic science toward practical and everyday problems. Words I live by: I’ll get more sleep tomorrow.

Return to Table of Contents | Return to Class of 1999