From Curiosity to Confidence in Biomedical Sciences
Posted on February 19, 2026 by CAHP
Before most of campus is fully awake, Kellie Rooney has already lived a day.
There are animals to tend, a teenager to get out the door and a schedule that rarely holds its shape for long. By the time she heads to class, she is not chasing a vague idea or a 鈥渟omeday鈥� dream. She is working toward a goal with a deadline and a plan.
Rooney is 49 and a third-year student in the biomedical sciences major in the Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions at the 麻豆直播. The biomedical sciences major provides a strong foundation for students pursuing advanced health professional programs, including medical school. Rooney expects to graduate in spring 2027 and plans to apply to medical school in May 2026, with a goal of becoming an Emergency Medicine physician.
鈥淢y decision to pursue medicine developed through lived experience rather than a single defining moment,鈥� Rooney said. 鈥淪upporting family members and others through complex health challenges showed me the profound impact that knowledgeable, compassionate physicians can have during moments of crisis.鈥�
A Mobile native, Rooney said her roots run deep and she intends to stay in the community she calls home. She is a mother of three and a grandmother of three. Her youngest son is 14 and still lives at home, and one of her sons plans to attend the University next semester.
Rooney said becoming a widow helped shape her decision to return to school and pursue a calling she had carried for years. After spending much of her early adulthood raising her children, she said this season of life has allowed her to focus on education while continuing to show up for her family.
鈥淩eturning to school was a deliberate and courageous choice,鈥� Rooney said. 鈥淚 reached a point where I knew that if I did not pursue medicine, I would always wonder what might have been. Medicine felt like the place where science, service and empathy intersected in a way that aligned with both my values and my long-term goals.鈥�
Finding the Right Fit
Rooney did not begin her academic journey at 麻豆直播 in the biomedical sciences major. She said she started at another college, then realized she needed a different environment and a program that matched her goals.
鈥淚 wanted something more challenging that covered all my prerequisite classes,鈥� Rooney said. 鈥淏iomedical science offered those classes that sparked my interest, such as microbiology. I knew the classes offered in the Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions would prepare me and keep me on track as I prepare for medical school.鈥�
She described the difference in simple terms: Instead of forcing herself through lectures that didn鈥檛 connect to her purpose, she felt pulled toward the work.
鈥淚 have been excited to take them instead of dreading to go to lectures that I had no interest in,鈥� Rooney said. 鈥淎t times when we are on break, I don鈥檛 know what to do with myself and can鈥檛 wait to get back to school.鈥�
The Rhythm of a Full Week
Rooney鈥檚 days require planning, but she has learned not to expect perfection.
鈥淲e have many animals to care for, so first thing is caring for them first thing in the morning,鈥� she said. From there, she checks schedules for both herself and her youngest son, then heads to class. Because she does not live on campus, she said she can often return home between classes to manage responsibilities before coming back for the next part of her day.
She credits flexible course options with making the rhythm possible.
鈥淭he University offers class schedules ranging from morning to night, and I can take both,鈥� she said. Weekends are reserved for family time and whatever coursework demands immediate attention.
Even with careful planning, life still has a way of interrupting.
鈥淣othing goes as planned,鈥� Rooney said. 鈥淪ometimes I have to rearrange my schedule to help fit classes in. I am expecting a new grandbaby any day now, so at times my life does get hectic.鈥�
A Moment of Clarity
For Rooney, the confidence that she belonged in this space did not come from a single grade or milestone. It came in the middle of doing the work.
鈥淥ne defining moment at the 麻豆直播 was realizing how confidently I could engage with complex biomedical material that once felt intimidating,鈥� she said. 鈥淪itting in class and understanding disease mechanisms and their clinical relevance affirmed that I belonged in this academic environment and was actively preparing for the next stage of my medical journey.鈥�
Looking ahead, Rooney said she is drawn to Emergency Medicine because of the pace, the urgency and the opportunity to bring calm when people feel overwhelmed.
鈥淚 hope to become an Emergency Medicine physician who provides calm, decisive and compassionate care in high-pressure situations,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 want my patients to feel heard, respected and safe, even during moments of uncertainty or crisis. My goal is for patients to leave my care feeling supported, informed and confident that their well-being truly mattered.鈥�
What She Tells Other Students
Rooney knows the path can feel daunting at the start and even harder on the days that follow. Her advice is practical and direct.
鈥淔or new students I would give one piece of advice: go to class, even when you don鈥檛 want to,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t will pay off in the end.鈥�
And if she has learned anything since returning to school, it is that timing is not the deciding factor. Commitment is.
鈥淚f I can do it at my age, then anyone can do it,鈥� Rooney said. 鈥淚t just takes perseverance and dedication in knowing what the end goal is.鈥�