UMW Alumna Madeline Bradbury Accepted to Medical School

Madeline Bradbury, Class of 2025, has been accepted into both the Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and the University of Washington School of Medicine. She has chosen to begin her medical training at UW in July 2026 and is interested in pursuing OB-GYN/maternal-fetal medicine, emergency medicine, or surgery (possibly trauma, orthopedics, or plastic surgery), while remaining open to other specialties.

A native of Washington, Madeline initially came to Montana Western to study art education but always planned to pursue medical school. Her undergraduate pathway as a Biology major in the Pre-Professional Medical and Veterinary Sciences option area allowed her to complete all required and recommended coursework prescribed by the UW School of Medicine. These courses—offered at Montana Western through its distinctive Experience One format—included genetics, bioethics, developmental biology, microbiology, medical physiology, and developmental psychology.

When asked which course she considered especially influential in her path to medical school, she stated, “The most impactful course I took was Human Anatomy, taught by Dr. Wood and Dr. Handlos.” She later added, “Despite sleepless nights and exhaustion, I realized I wanted to be there, pushing myself and growing as a scholar. By meeting the demands of anatomy, I discovered what I could accomplish.” Maintaining her interest in the arts, Madeline also completed a minor in Glass and spent countless hours fabricating in the UMW Emerick Art Studio.

Madeline conducted original undergraduate research in microbiology with Dr. Michael Morrow and in anatomy with Dr. Bradley Wood. Her work led to presentations at two national meetings of the American Association for Anatomy in 2024 (Toronto, Canada) and 2025 (Portland, Oregon). In addition to opportunities at Montana Western, Madeline participated in the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) and the Neuroscience Summer Student Program, both hosted by the UW School of Medicine.

A licensed EMT, Madeline reflects that her experiences at Montana Western “made me a more confident person, enabling me to present at international research meetings and serve as an EMT in a challenging rural environment.” In recognition of her academic achievements, she also received the Zella K. Flores Top Female Student Award for 2025, an award presented annually to the top female student in the graduating class at the University of Montana Western.

As she prepares to begin medical school, Madeline feels well prepared for the rigor and pacing of professional coursework thanks to UMW’s block schedule and Experience One approach. “Medical school is a very different beast, but they use a similar block schedule in the foundations phase (Years 1 and 2). I believe that my time studying in the UMW block schedule will help me adjust quickly to the fast-paced, intense medical school curriculum.”

Madeline’s advice to students currently on the medical path is, “Don’t compare your path to medicine with others. I know this is hard, but there is no perfect pre-medical student or application. Pursue activities that you are interested in and passionate about. You will find your unique path to medicine.”

To learn more about pre-med and pre-vet pathways or other health career options for undergraduates at UMW, please contact Dr. Michael Morrow, Chair of the Biology Department, at michael.morrow@umwestern.edu, or Dr. Bradley Wood, Chair of the Health Careers Advisory Committee, at bradley.wood@umwestern.edu.