Courtney Suiter

Program:  MD

Hometown:  Clarksville, TN

Undergraduate School and Major: Austin Peay State University, Biology

Specialty/Career Plans: Pediatrics

Extracurricular Activities: 
Pediatric Interest Group (PIG), taking my dog to the park, spending time with my family and friends

Marital Status:  Married

Courtney Suiter

Please click here to email a question to Courtney

Why Quillen
Choosing to attend Quillen for medical school was the easiest and best decision I’ve made. Quillen had everything I was looking for, such as a small class size, family environment, and a great location. It helped that my husband also attended Quillen, so I already knew this school was the perfect place for me. I was welcomed into the Quillen family first as a spouse, then as a medical student, and I am still amazed by all the caring people and support that we have here at Quillen.

Juggling School and Family
Since my husband and I are both medical students here at Quillen, the majority of our time is spent studying. We like to plan time together where we have to put school aside and just spend quality time with each other, such as weekly date nights. During stressful test weeks or during board studying, we have to remind ourselves to remain flexible and be patient with one another. We have a good understanding of what the other is going through, so that makes it easier for us to support each other when times get hard. We also like to quiz each other over dinner and have long discussions over what we are each learning in class or on rotations.

Prior Life
I grew up outside of Clarksville, TN and stayed home to attend Austin Peay State University for undergrad. I was originally a nursing major and changed to biology once I realized that medicine was the path I was meant to follow after working as a nursing technician at my local hospital. Before starting medical school, I took two years off after undergrad to complete a Master’s in Public Health degree at ETSU.

Life Outside of The Classroom
One thing that was important to me when starting medical school was to prioritize my life outside of school. I ensure that I make sure to do the things that make me happy, even when I feel like my to-do list is overflowing. Whether that is maintaining a workout regimen or watching Netflix, I knew it was important to do these things to maintain my mental health. I enjoy taking our golden retriever on walks at the parks in JC or to puppy playdates with fellow classmates. My husband and I have weekly date nights were we like to eat at local restaurants or spend the morning at one of the many local coffee shops. 

Words of Wisdom
My advice is to always remember your “why”. It is easy to get lost in studying and lose focus on why you started this journey in the first place. Make time for yourself and continue to do the things you love; I promise that lecture or Anki deck can wait! Keep in touch with your family and loved ones. Remember that you are more than a single test grade, and values such as these do not define you. If you invest your time in things that you are passionate about, this will make you stand out more than any test grade will. Please reach out if you have any questions, need advice, etc. Good luck on your journey!