Honors Alum Embarks on Rheumatology Fellowship

Farquhar Honors College alum Biana Modilevsky was selected as a fellow for the University of Arizona’s Rheumatology Fellowship Training Program. Completing her internal medicine residency this summer after three challenging but rewarding years at Swedish Hospital in Chicago, IL, she’s ready to take the next step towards becoming a rheumatologist.

During her residency, Modilevsky learned the technical side of practicing medicine and the art of medicine—the interpersonal connections formed with patients and their families.

“My favorite part of my job as a resident physician was finally being able to take some autonomy and responsibility for what I was doing,” said Modilevsky, who was chief resident during her final year of residency. “Up until the point of starting residency, I had spent my life learning about a lot of these topics in books, but this was the first time I was truly applying my knowledge. Though it was incredibly rewarding to begin formulating my own plans and truly applying what I had previously learned from studying, it was also really comforting to have backup from attendings and my co-residents to talk things through.”

Modilevsky has always loved science, but her passion for medicine grew after shadowing a rheumatologist in high school who became a mentor to her. Witnessing patient interactions and the excitement with which her mentor approached his work, she was inspired to pursue a medical career.

After graduating from NSU in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in biology, she swiftly moved on to medical school at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University, where she received her Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine in 2019.

“I feel like I had so many extra ‘tools’ in my toolbox as an honors student at NSU,” said Modilevsky, who now serves on the Honors Alumni Advisory Board. “The program truly offered a myriad of opportunities to excel, get involved in extracurriculars and the community, and broaden my learning horizons… I also had opportunities to meet other students outside of the college of science through honors socials, mixers, and outings, and gained exceptional mentors along the way. The Honors College was altogether one of my favorite parts and highlights of my time at NSU which I will forever be grateful for.”

In a few years, Modilevsky hopes to work as a rheumatologist. Whether she practices privately or in an academic setting, she’s not sure yet but is excited to apply everything she’s learned and possibly teach others one day.