Student Spotlight: Jillian Shapiro

Originally from just outside Boston, Massachusetts, Jillian Shapiro has built a unique path in medicine shaped by personal experience and international study. A Cornell University graduate with a focus in genetics and genomics, she began her medical training in Israel before transferring to Trinity, developing a deep passion for pediatrics and family-centered care. Along the way, she’s embraced diverse clinical experiences, cultivated meaningful connections, and committed herself to supporting patients and families through some of life’s most challenging moments.

Where are you from, and what’s your academic background?

I’m originally from Massachusetts, just outside of Boston, and spent my whole childhood there. I attended public school before heading to upstate New York for college.

I went to Cornell University, where I earned a degree in biological sciences, concentrating in genetics, genomics, and development, along with a minor in Jewish studies. After graduating, I moved to Israel and lived there for three years. That’s where I completed my preclinical medical studies through an American medical program before eventually transferring to Trinity.

What brought you into medicine? 

I’ve had a passion for it my entire life. Growing up in a family with significant medical issues gave me a very different perspective from someone raised in a family of physicians.

Many people are drawn to medicine because their parents are doctors, which offers valuable insight into the profession. My experience, though, came from the other side. My dad and my sister both faced health challenges, so I saw firsthand what it’s like to be the patient and the patient’s family, interacting with doctors and navigating the healthcare system.

Why did you choose Trinity, and what helped you make the decision? Did you apply to other med schools? 

I initially focused mostly on U.S. MD programs and also explored a few programs in Israel, some of which have since closed for various reasons. At the time, I hadn’t really considered Caribbean schools.

When it came time to transfer, though, I realized I needed to look into international options, which led me to learn more about Caribbean programs. What stood out to me about Trinity was the structure; they offered a centralized location where you could stay in one place for two years and complete all your rotations.

Other Caribbean schools don’t typically have that setup. Even when they offer rotation placements, you’re often moving between different locations for the third and fourth years. Having the option to remain in one place felt incredibly valuable to me and was a major factor in my decision. It really is a game-changer.

Where did you take rotations?

I spent all of my third year in Georgia, but for my fourth year, I completed entirely away electives. It was reassuring to know I had the option to stay in Georgia and have everything arranged for me, but I really wanted to explore different programs and environments. I made it a point to travel as much as possible and connect with a variety of residency programs, so I ended up moving around quite a bit.

That experience is really valuable when it comes to residency—getting to know different places and seeing where you might fit best. I rotated in California with Loma Linda’s residency program, spent time at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, and trained at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I also had the chance to do a rotation with my childhood pediatrician back home, which was incredibly special.

In addition, I spent a month on Long Island at Good Samaritan University Hospital and another month in Brooklyn at Maimonides Medical Center.

How well do you think Trinity prepared you for the Match? 

I think there are definitely strong levels of support available, especially when you’re going through the process and still figuring things out. Having that guidance can make a big difference.

The way my third-year rotations were structured really set me up for success in my fourth-year away electives, which ultimately prepared me well for residency. Because I had such a solid foundation, I was able to perform confidently, build meaningful connections, and secure strong letters of recommendation.

Where did you match? What made you choose that specialty? 

I matched into Pediatrics-Medical Genetics at Case Western/University Hospital of Cleveland Medical Center in Ohio. I’ve always known I wanted to go into this field; there was never really any question for me. I’ve always loved working with kids and even found myself saying during residency interviews that, in many ways, they’re just more fun than adults.

What draws me in most is the interaction with patients, which is such a central part of the work. But beyond that, I really value being able to support families and provide comfort to parents. That kind of reassurance is important in all areas of medicine, but it feels especially meaningful in pediatrics.

Being able to guide families through some of the most difficult moments in their lives, while helping both the child and their parents feel safe and cared for, is what I find most fulfilling.

Was Trinity a good choice for you?

Trinity was really excellent, especially at the point in my journey when I transferred right before term five. That timing meant I was gearing up for Step 1 prep, taking the exam, and then moving into my clinical rotations.

The program gave me a strong foundation, which allowed me to approach Step 1 with confidence and made the transition into U.S. rotations much smoother. It really set me up for success in the next phase of my training. 

What was the transition like from Massachusetts to Georgia for Term 5? 

That was a really big adjustment, maybe even bigger than moving abroad to Israel. The cultural differences between the North and the South are really striking. Even small things, like greeting people in the hospital hallways, took some getting used to.

Up North, we might just nod or pass by quietly, but down South, if you walk past someone without saying “good morning” or acknowledging them, it’s considered rude. Up until my third year, all of my hospital experiences had been either up North or abroad, so adapting to this new environment was definitely an interesting and eye-opening experience.

Were you active in any community service organizations? Any clubs?

I was on the board for the Pediatrics Interest Group, and while I was involved, I realized there weren’t any Jewish interest groups. After spending time in Israel, I really wanted to connect with that community, so I decided to start one myself, both to create a space for myself and to offer that opportunity to others who were looking for the same sense of community.

What has been your favorite experience so far at Trinity? 

I’ve been really fortunate to make some amazing friends along the way, and I think that’s been such a key part of getting through medical school. Of course, there’s all the studying and the work, but having a strong support network, friends who are there with you, who understand the journey, makes a huge difference. It’s really invaluable.

What is the best advice you could share with a prospective Trinity student?

It’s definitely a challenging path, but if you truly want it and are willing to put in the work, it’s achievable. Medical school is one of those experiences where you really get out what you put in. If you give it your all, it will pay off. My advice would be to stay persistent, keep pushing forward, and trust that your effort will be rewarded.

If you’re interested in learning how Trinity can support your dream of becoming a doctor, we invite you to reach out to our admissions team today! Contact us here.