Physician Credits New Visions Program for Her Career Path
Enrolling in one of Erie 1 BOCES’ three elite New Visions programs had a lasting impact on pediatrician Dr. Bridget Messina.
Messina works as a clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at UBMD Pediatrics and Oishei Children's Hospital of Buffalo. While growing up, she did not have an immediate interest in becoming a doctor, but that began to change when she took an anatomy class at Kenmore East High School.
“My teacher recommended the Connections: Health Related Careers program, and I took an interest in that because I enjoyed the anatomy class, and a biology class before that,” Messina explained. “It sounded great because you got to be in the hospital and really do some rotations with different doctors, nurses and departments, and it turned out to be a wonderful experience.”
Messina’s class took place at the Buffalo VA Medical Center. She noted the in-field lessons helped build her interest in pursuing a medical career path. The Connections program was also highly personalized with a small class size, allowing her to learn one-on-one in an immersive setting.
“It was great getting that exposure to hospitals at a young age since I didn’t have anyone in my family in the medical field,” Messina stated. “It helped set me on the path early on to work in medicine and it gave me the foundation I needed to continue learning, even before going to medical school. I believe the practical experience I gained also helped give me a leg up in my applications to medical school.”
Connections instructor Christine Tillman had nothing but praise for her former student. She said Messina has a professional, kind and welcoming demeanor, all important traits for a doctor.
“Bridget was an exemplary and conscientious student,” Tillman added. “She learned from any observation experience available to her. She was a student that, from the start, I knew would be a success in the medical field. I am proud to have been part of her journey.”
Tillman said students in her class gain firsthand insight to a multitude of medical professions and specialties, allowing them to make informed decisions about their future careers even before attending college.
“Hearing the students’ excitement about what they observed makes it all worthwhile,” she concluded.
After graduating high school in 2005, Messina attended Syracuse University, where she majored in psychology with a pre-med track. She then went to the University at Buffalo for medical school, deciding on pediatrics since she enjoyed working with children.
Messina did her residency at New York University, where she lived for four years before coming back home to Buffalo for a job at UBMD Pediatrics in their outpatient clinics. She has served in that role for the past three years.
The Connections: Health Related Careers program is one of three programs under the Erie 1 BOCES New Visions umbrella. Other programs include Legal Academy for law-related fields, with classes held at Canisius College, and Zoo Wildlife & Conservation Careers at the Buffalo Zoo.
All New Visions programs serve as options for honors-level, college-bound seniors. For those interested in learning more, an informational session will be held Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Harkness Career & Technical Center, 99 Aero Drive, Cheektowaga. There you can meet the teachers and learn about the application process.