What does a wife, a mother of four young children, two cats and a golden dragon do to fill her already busy days?

She applies and gets accepted to medical school!

The University of Minnesota Medical School CentraCare Regional Campus will soon open their doors and be the first new medical school in Minnesota in the last 50 years. It is a school that grants Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees and Sierra Bermudez (Bratsch) of St. Cloud applied to one day be a physician.

And she was accepted!

Bermudez, 25, was one of 2,000 St. Cloud School applicants to be welcomed into the inaugural class. Only 24 students were received favorably for this year and following some rigorous testing, Bermudez cleared the hurdles and is set to join the others at orientation August 18.

“The road to becoming a medical doctor is long and difficult,” she says. “After high school, you need to complete four years of undergraduate studies (bachelor’s degree), typically in a science-related major, because most schools require upper-level science coursework.” 

Where it Began

Sierra first became interested in medicine when she got pregnant in the 11th grade. 

“Having so much support from my medical team during such an uncertain time inspired me to help others in the same way,’ she says. “I had four kids by the time I was 22 and through all of my pregnancies my doctor and care team taught me so much about my body and reproduction while also connecting me with community resources.” 

It was this experience that sparked her interest in science and showed her a way to combine her interest in science with her desire to help others within her community. 

“Medicine is a lifelong learning experience. I cannot think of a career more rewarding than learning about the body that drives us every day while helping others to live happier, healthier lives.”

Bermudez graduated with a BS in biomedical sciences and a Spanish minor from St. Cloud State University.  She has a husband, Anthony, four children in Dalton (eight), Ivory (six), Kalia (five), and Azaleah (two). She also has two cats, Mushroom and Truffl and a bearded dragon, named Phoenix.

“Although not always required, it is highly recommended to have research experience, volunteer hours, and shadowing hours,” she said.
“I was asked about all three of these experiences during multiple steps of my application as well as my interview.” 

Bermudez said she did undergraduate research in Type 1 diabetes at SCSU where she studied immune cells in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice consuming Coca-Cola. 

“I volunteered around 100 hours in the pediatrics unit at the CentraCare St. Cloud Hospital where I helped to comfort children and give some relief to nurses and family members,” she says. “I also volunteered at Project HEAL health clinics, where I helped translate to allow Spanish speakers better access to resources like vaccines and routine check-ups.” 

Additionally, Bratsch-Bermudez conducted over 130 hours of shadowing where she followed and observed doctors from nine different specialties. 

“There are plenty of students who get many more hours of volunteering and shadowing,” she says. “Because I have young kids and was working opposite shifts from my spouse, we did not have a babysitter, so I needed to make do with what little free time I had.”

Testing and Scores 

On top of all this,applicants must have competitive grades, a competitive Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score, and an overall impressive application and personal statement. 

“Before applying, you must take the MCAT, which is a challenging test that includes material from biology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, psychology, critical analysis, and much more,” she said. “This test is not pass/fail. You receive a score and you can then decide to apply or retake. Some schools require additional testing but for the University of Minnesota, I was able to apply with just my MCAT.” 

Sierra had a primary application and a secondary application, which required different essay questions. Following her secondary, she received an interview invitation. 

“The interview lasted a couple of hours,” she said. “I received an acceptance call about two months after my interview. Medical school primary applications open early May of the year before you plan to attend, so the application cycle can last an entire year.”

Staying Hopeful

Sierra sat on pins and needles until she finally got the call that she had been accepted.

“Upon being accepted, I just screamed and cried,” she said. “I was probably scaring my kids, but to be one of 24 accepted was an amazing feeling. Knowing I got into my first-choice school and did not have to move my kids away from their school and family was a huge relief. Having the privilege of studying at an incredible school like the U of M while being part of the inaugural class is such an honor!”

Why the Need for a New Medical School?

Rural communities within Minnesota and the United States are facing serious physician shortages. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the United States will face a physician shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. This is disproportionately affecting rural areas. The AAMC found that under-served communities would have needed 202,800 more physicians in order to obtain the same care as populations with better access to care in 2021. The new Saint Cloud Campus aims to train more physicians to serve rural Minnesotans to ensure that access to care is available for everybody regardless of where they live.

“Once I graduate from medical school, there is a process of applying to residency programs,” Sierra says. “There’s different programs all over the country and you select and rank which you are most interested in. In five years, I hope to be in my preferred residency program in the St. Cloud area. I hope it’s not too rough, residency is allegedly some of the hardest years of training. All of my kids will be in school so I just hope they are enjoying their classes and doing activities that make them happy. I hope my husband continues moving up within his career (Supervisor at Cintas) and we can continue building our future.”

And in 10 years?

“In 10 years, I hope to be doing what I love, helping to keep people happy and healthy while closing gaps in care to rural Minnesotans,” she says. “Dalton will be an adult, and the kids will be more independent. I hope to be in a specialty that I love and be a successful practicing physician. I hope we have time to travel and experience the world and all of its rich cultures.