5 questions with medicine’s Lauren Prendeville, Class of 2026
As commencement approaches for Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine students, the excitement of what lies ahead is matched by the gratitude to the people, classes and clinicals that made a difference along the way—because the journey of earning one’s degree is just as important and impactful as the destination of a healthcare career.
To capture that experience, we spoke with several School of Medicine graduates as they prepare to close this chapter and step into the next.
Read on to learn about Lauren Prendeville, a Master of Science in Anesthesia (MSA) candidate from Austin, Texas.
Answers have been lightly edited.
What initially drew you to CWRU?
When I was applying to MSA programs around the country, something that first stuck out to me about CWRU was its long-standing history of training great certified anesthesiologist assistants (CAAs) as one of the country's first programs. After my interview with staff at CWRU Austin, CWRU quickly became my number one choice after seeing how much every staff member emphasized that this program is a family, and I saw that everyone truly cared about each student's success in the program.
What course or campus experience shaped your education most?
The course that shaped my education the most is, without a doubt, our simulation lab course. My class was divided into small groups of four people, which allowed personalized learning opportunities for us to refine our skills and clinical knowledge in a low-stakes environment. Our sim lab instructor, Gina Phillips, planned the best labs simulating real-life cases, and made the course fun by coordinating friendly competitions between each small group.
What is your favorite memory as a student at CWRU?
I can't pick just one favorite memory, but some of my favorite memories as a student were when my class got to all gather together to celebrate milestones throughout the program. Our first year, we got to celebrate receiving our stethoscopes and white coats to signify our entry into clinical rotations. We got to go to Charlotte, North Carolina, and Denver, Colorado, to meet other anesthesiologist assistant students around the country and hear from amazing practicing CAAs and anesthesiologists at the American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants conference. And now, in the next few weeks, we get to come together in Cleveland for graduation, and I could not be more excited to see my classmates and celebrate with them!
What’s next for you after graduation?
I will be working at Baylor Scott & White Health in Round Rock, Texas, as a CAA starting this summer. This hospital was one of our rotation sites as students, and I am so excited to be going back as a CAA!
What advice would you give to new students in your program?
My advice to new students would be to lean on your fellow classmates and always have an open and positive mindset in clinicals. This program is challenging, and no one understands what you're going through more than your own classmates. From studying for finals together, to sharing crazy operating room cases we saw, to giving each other tips to get through clinical rotations, I am so thankful for my classmates and how we all supported one another. Lastly, something that is special about this profession is that there are a million ways to do anesthesia and always something new to learn, so always be excited and open to learning a new way of doing things!
