A journey of resilience and purpose

A painted image of a woman with long dark hair, set against a muted background.

Alison Smolinski
Academic Program Specialist
Penn State College of Medicine

In May 2011, Alison Smolinski survived a near-fatal car accident and spent nearly two months at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, undergoing 21 surgeries before recovering at home.

By 2017, she joined Penn State College of Medicine as an academic program specialist for the MD/PhD Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP).

“I was saved in 2011 by the incredible care teams at the Medical Center. Now, I dedicate my career to supporting the next generation of physician-scientists,” Smolinski said.

In her role, she recruits and mentors MSTP students, ensuring they receive the tools needed in their training to excel. “These future double doctors inspire me every day,” she shared.

It’s stories like these that drive our purpose.

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