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Caroline Ferguson-Dryden

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Finalist

General information

Hobbies & Interests

  • Rock Climbing
  • Tennis
  • Hiking And Backpacking
  • Dance
  • Volunteering
  • Coffee
  • Mentoring
  • Research
  • Exercise And Fitness
  • Exploring Nature And Being Outside
  • Global Health

Reading

  • Science Fiction
  • Fantasy
  • Adventure

I read books multiple times a month.

Bio

Caroline Ferguson-Dryden is a medical student passionate about PM&R, sports medicine, and adaptive sports. With a background in dance, tennis, track, and rock climbing, she is particularly interested in diagnostic ultrasound, regenerative medicine, and pain management to help athletes and individuals with disabilities optimize performance and recovery. She serves as an EMT and technical rescuer with the Altadena Mountain Rescue Team, responding to high-angle rope rescues, helicopter operations, and medical emergencies in the San Gabriel Mountains. She also teaches first aid and outdoor safety to surrounding communities. An avid traveler and outdoor enthusiast, Caroline will be spending the 2025-2026 school year traveling internationally for her MSc in Extreme Medicine at the University of Exeter. This program will deepen her expertise in wilderness medicine, humanitarian aid, and disaster response before she finishes medical school and applies for PM&R residency. She has presented clinical research and health equity projects at national conferences and is committed to value-based care, cost-effectiveness in healthcare, and expanding access to specialized treatments. Caroline hopes to bridge the gap between sports medicine, pain care, and disability advocacy, ensuring that all patients—whether elite athletes, weekend warriors, or individuals with disabilities—receive evidence-based, patient-centered rehabilitation.

Education

Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine

Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

2022 – 2027

Majors:
  • Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies
  • Medicine

Amherst College

Bachelor's degree program

2016 – 2020

Majors:
  • Psychology, General

Miscellaneous

Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Desired degree modality:
Hybrid
Medical school interest:
Yes
Test scores:
  • ACT32

Career

  • EMT

    Medicine · Amherst College Emergency Medical Services

    Jan 2017 – Jan 2020

  • Clinical Research Associate

    Research · The Stone Research Foundation

    Jan 2020 – Jan 2022

  • Medical Assistant

    Medicine · The Stone Clinic

    Jan 2020 – Jan 2022

Miscellaneous

Dream career field:
Medicine
Dream career goals:
Become a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician specializing in Sports and Extreme Medicine
Work experience:
2 years
Has nursing license:
No

Future Interests

  • Advocacy
  • Volunteering
Women in STEM and Community Service Scholarship
Education is more than personal achievement—it is a tool to create a more inclusive, accessible, and equitable world. As a medical student and aspiring Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) physician, I am deeply passionate about breaking down barriers in healthcare, particularly for individuals with disabilities and those recovering from injuries. Through my education and experience in adaptive sports, wilderness medicine, and disaster relief, I hope to make a lasting impact by ensuring that everyone—regardless of physical ability or socioeconomic background—has access to the care and resources they need to thrive. One of the local issues I am most passionate about is expanding access to adaptive sports and rehabilitation services. Many individuals recovering from traumatic injuries, neurological conditions, or chronic pain face barriers to returning to physical activity due to limited resources, lack of specialized care, or financial constraints. Through my volunteer work with ParaCliffHangers and Thrive Adaptive, I have seen firsthand how adaptive climbing and outdoor recreation can transform lives. Whether belaying a climber with a spinal cord injury or modifying gear for an athlete with limb loss, I have witnessed the profound impact of empowering individuals through movement. My goal as a physician is to integrate sports medicine, rehabilitation, and community outreach to expand these opportunities and advocate for accessible, evidence-based rehabilitation programs. At the same time, my work in disaster medicine and rescue operations has revealed an even deeper layer of inequity. During the Eaton Fire, I was tasked with conducting home rescues for individuals with chronic illnesses and disabilities, many of whom were left behind due to mobility limitations, lack of transportation, or medical fragility. Seeing firsthand how disaster response often overlooks the needs of people with disabilities was a turning point for me. It became clear that rehabilitation medicine and disaster preparedness must go hand in hand, ensuring that vulnerable populations are not just considered—but actively prioritized—in emergency response planning. This realization has pushed me toward a future that blends PM&R with humanitarian aid and operational medicine. I am pursuing a Master’s in Extreme Medicine at the University of Exeter (2025-2026) before finishing my medical degree, which will provide me with the skills to deliver medical care in austere and resource-limited settings. This training will prepare me to address global disparities in rehabilitation and sports medicine, especially for populations affected by natural disasters, war, and humanitarian crises. Whether working with displaced individuals, athletes in extreme environments, or disaster survivors with acute and chronic injuries, I want to use my education to develop innovative rehabilitation models that prioritize function, independence, and quality of life. Women in STEM have the power to lead with both innovation and compassion, and I am committed to using my medical education to improve healthcare equity, expand access to adaptive sports, and advance rehabilitation medicine on a global scale. This scholarship would provide critical support as I continue my training, ensuring that I can focus on creating sustainable, community-driven solutions that empower individuals to regain mobility, confidence, and independence—even in the most challenging circumstances. By bridging the fields of medicine, rehabilitation, disaster response, and adaptive sports, I hope to create a world where movement is a right, not a privilege, and where every individual—regardless of ability—has the opportunity to reach new heights, both in everyday life and in moments of crisis.
Christina Taylese Singh Memorial Scholarship
The first time I put on a climbing harness, I felt a mix of fear and exhilaration. My fingers gripped the rock, my feet searched for holds, and with every move upward, I discovered the power of movement, resilience, and adaptation. That feeling never left me. It shaped my journey into medicine, guiding me toward a career in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R)—a field dedicated to helping people regain function, independence, and confidence after injury or illness. As a medical student, I have seen how rehabilitation transforms lives. Whether it’s a stroke survivor learning to walk again, an athlete recovering from a career-threatening injury, or an adaptive climber pushing past limitations, the ability to reclaim movement and purpose is profound. My experiences volunteering with ParaCliffHangers and Thrive Adaptive have reinforced my passion for adaptive sports and rehabilitation. Through these organizations, I have had the privilege of belaying and coaching climbers with disabilities, helping them rediscover strength, mobility, and confidence in a sport that has meant so much to me. I have watched individuals who once doubted their abilities ascend rock faces, push past barriers, and redefine what they believed possible. These experiences have deepened my understanding of functional recovery and the importance of individualized rehabilitation—the very principles that guide PM&R. Despite having a tuition-free medical education at the Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine (KPSOM), I am stepping away from my school’s financial stipend for a year to pursue a Master’s in Extreme Medicine at the University of Exeter (2025-2026). This program will equip me with the skills to provide rehabilitation and sports medicine in extreme and resource-limited environments, whether in disaster zones, remote expeditions, or underserved communities. From wilderness trauma care to adaptive rehabilitation for injured climbers and athletes, this training will shape my ability to deliver functional, patient-centered care in unconventional settings. I am applying for this scholarship because, without my medical school stipend, I face financial challenges in covering living expenses and educational costs during this critical year of additional training. However, I firmly believe that this experience will make me a better physician, educator, and advocate for those navigating injury, pain, and disability. Christina Taylese Singh’s story resonates deeply with me. Like her, I am driven by the belief that everyone deserves the chance to regain their independence and live fully after an illness or injury. While my path leads me to PM&R instead of occupational therapy, our missions align: to empower individuals to reclaim their lives through movement, adaptation, and resilience. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to continue this journey, honoring Christina’s memory by ensuring that every patient I work with—whether in a hospital, a rehabilitation center, or on the rock face—has the chance to rediscover strength, independence, and hope.
Manny and Sylvia Weiner Medical Scholarship
Becoming a physician has been a lifelong goal shaped by my experiences as an athlete, a medical student, and a technical rescuer. I chose medicine because I wanted to bridge the gap between rehabilitation, sports medicine, and disability advocacy, ensuring that all patients—whether elite athletes, weekend warriors, or individuals with disabilities—receive evidence-based, patient-centered care. Now, as a medical student pursuing Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R), I see firsthand how mobility, function, and quality of life are deeply intertwined. However, as I take a year to complete a Master’s in Extreme Medicine (MSc) at the University of Exeter before finishing medical school, I will no longer receive my stipend from the Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine (KPSOM). This shift in financial support is why I am seeking scholarships to help with living expenses and educational costs. The decision to pause my medical education for this MSc was not made lightly, but I know it will greatly enhance my future practice as a PM&R physician specializing in sports medicine, adaptive sports, and pain management. The program’s focus on wilderness medicine, disaster response, and humanitarian aid will provide essential training in treating patients in austere and resource-limited settings. These skills are directly applicable to my interests in adaptive sports rehabilitation, military and veteran medicine, and global health. During medical school, my experiences as an EMT and technical rescuer with the Altadena Mountain Rescue Team reinforced my belief that medicine should be accessible, adaptable, and patient-centered, even in the most challenging conditions. Whether responding to backcountry emergencies, stabilizing injured climbers, or educating underserved communities on first aid, I have seen the profound impact that timely, effective medical interventions can have. My MSc training will further prepare me to innovate within sports medicine and rehabilitation, ensuring that patients—including those with disabilities—receive high-quality care regardless of location or resources. While I am fortunate that KPSOM covers tuition, the stipend I receive as a student has been critical in covering rent, food, and other essentials. Stepping away from that financial support for a year to pursue this additional training presents a challenge, but I am committed to making this investment in my future. The knowledge and skills I will gain from this MSc will ultimately benefit my patients and the communities I serve. Beyond the technical skills, this experience will deepen my understanding of the financial, geographic, and systemic barriers patients face in accessing rehabilitation and pain management services. As someone who has had to navigate financial limitations myself, I will bring an added layer of empathy and advocacy to my practice, working to develop cost-effective rehabilitation solutions that prioritize function, independence, and long-term quality of life. Receiving this scholarship would ease the financial strain of this transition and allow me to focus on maximizing the educational opportunities this MSc offers. It would provide the stability I need to fully immerse myself in this training without worrying about how to afford basic living expenses. I am eager to integrate extreme medicine, sports medicine, and rehabilitation into a career that helps patients of all backgrounds regain function and thrive. This scholarship would bring me one step closer to that goal.
Caroline Ferguson-Dryden Student Profile | Bold.org