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Alumni Spotlight: Michael Mondheim '09
We caught up with founding alumni Michael Mondheim '09 to learn about his budding career as an OB/GYN.
Tell us about your university experience. Did you feel that SC prepared you for the academic rigors of college and medical school?
After graduating from Sierra Canyon School in 2009 as part of the first graduating class, I attended the University of Southern California for college. There I pursued my interest in science and completed a Bachelors of Arts in biology and applied to medical school. Thereafter I attended an osteopathic medical school name Touro University in Henderson, Nevada for graduate medical education. I graduated Touro University in 2017 having matched into an ACGME OB/GYN residency in Bethlehem, PA at St. Luke’s University Hospital. For the past year, I have been learning how to take care of women during some of the most incredibly exciting and emotional periods of their lives. I’ve personally delivered over a hundred infants, have performed cesarean surgeries, operated in the OR routinely, and seen my own group of patients in our Women’s Health Center clinic. Currently, I am considering pursuing a fellowship after my residency is over in minimally invasive gynecological surgery.
Sierra Canyon certainly prepared me for the rigorous pre-medical courses at USC. Introductory classes for biology and chemistry are the initial obstacles for any pre-medical student in college. With my SC background, I felt I not only had a solid foundation for success in these courses but also that I had developed a strong work ethic that carried over to these undergraduate courses. Studying in medical school is often described humorously as “drinking water from a fire hose” but the approach was nevertheless the same. I had used what I learned at SC—do a little bit of studying each day and it adds up in the long run.
What other experiences…had in the last 8 years other than academic…would you like to share with us.
What led you to choose the medical profession?
What about your experience at SC? Are there any particular classes, experiences or faculty members that impacted you or that you would like to mention? Is keeping in touch with SC classmates important for you? Do you keep in touch? Anyone you would like to mention?Sierra Canyon certainly prepared me for the rigorous pre-medical courses at USC. Introductory classes for biology and chemistry are the initial obstacles for any pre-medical student in college. With my SC background, I felt I not only had a solid foundation for success in these courses but also that I had developed a strong work ethic that carried over to these undergraduate courses. Studying in medical school is often described humorously as “drinking water from a fire hose” but the approach was nevertheless the same. I had used what I learned at SC—do a little bit of studying each day and it adds up in the long run.
What other experiences…had in the last 8 years other than academic…would you like to share with us.
I think I have two things to share outside of purely academic experiences. One is that I had the good fortune to travel and broaden my sense of the world. I traveled with my brother to all parts of Europe and South America. Several years ago, I traveled to Southeast Asia as well. I recall that while at SC I had my first international experience when I went to Cuernavaca, Mexico with my fellow colleagues under the guidance of Mr. Fennell. In fact, I went on this trip twice because of how incredibly eye-opening and amazing the experience had been the first time.
The second thing I would like to share is my interest in cinematography and how I combined it with my interest in medicine. After taking a few courses for fun at the USC cinema school, I opted to take an advanced documentary production class. I had no clue what I was doing with a PD140 camera, professional boom mic, and Avid editing system. Nonetheless, I contacted a few doctors at the Keck School of Medicine. I got in touch with Dr. Robin Cohen from cardiothoracic surgery. One afternoon I drove to his house in Glendale and discussed creating a short documentary on his two cardiothoracic fellows who happened to be incredibly talented and unique women. The short film examined the backgrounds of these two extremely devoted and talented female surgeons and what drove them to become cardiothoracic surgeons in a previously traditionally male-dominated field of medicine.
The second thing I would like to share is my interest in cinematography and how I combined it with my interest in medicine. After taking a few courses for fun at the USC cinema school, I opted to take an advanced documentary production class. I had no clue what I was doing with a PD140 camera, professional boom mic, and Avid editing system. Nonetheless, I contacted a few doctors at the Keck School of Medicine. I got in touch with Dr. Robin Cohen from cardiothoracic surgery. One afternoon I drove to his house in Glendale and discussed creating a short documentary on his two cardiothoracic fellows who happened to be incredibly talented and unique women. The short film examined the backgrounds of these two extremely devoted and talented female surgeons and what drove them to become cardiothoracic surgeons in a previously traditionally male-dominated field of medicine.
What led you to choose the medical profession?
This feels like I’m applying to medical school all over again! In part, I grew up in a medical family. My mother is a pharmacist and my aunt is a doctor of internal medicine. Compounding this with my interest in biological science it was a no-brainer that I would pursue the medical field. The other part, that I attribute my interest in science so much, was my biology teacher at SC, Ms. Leung. She made biology incredibly fascinating. Many times I would discuss topics outside of class with her about DNA, genetics, diseases, and even new gene therapies. She was an excellent mentor and a true role model. I can’t honestly say that I would have been so interested in science or even had pursued a premedical career wholeheartedly if it weren’t for Ms. Leung.
Why I chose OB/GYN is another story. It was the last field I expected myself to be interested in. Originally I thought I would become a cardiologist. As it turned out, during my third year of clerkships (where we rotate and work within different specialties), medical students have to complete an OB/GYN rotation. During my OB/GYN month, I loved absolutely everything about the field. It was refreshing as OB/GYN combines both medical and surgical fields together. You get to work in the office and the OR. You’re the surgeon and the doctor. On top of all that, there is simply nothing as exciting or as beautiful as bringing a new life into this world.
Why I chose OB/GYN is another story. It was the last field I expected myself to be interested in. Originally I thought I would become a cardiologist. As it turned out, during my third year of clerkships (where we rotate and work within different specialties), medical students have to complete an OB/GYN rotation. During my OB/GYN month, I loved absolutely everything about the field. It was refreshing as OB/GYN combines both medical and surgical fields together. You get to work in the office and the OR. You’re the surgeon and the doctor. On top of all that, there is simply nothing as exciting or as beautiful as bringing a new life into this world.
See above, AP Bio with Ms. Leung. I don’t keep in touch with too many SC classmates nowadays as we’ve all parted ways doing our own business. Oh also, it is so important to know Spanish! I routinely use Spanish with my patients and this is an essential skill for anyone in today’s world. Mastery of this language is essential. I took Spanish since 3rd grade and every year made no true progress until Mr. Fennell taught me Spanish at SC. I strongly encourage those out there to learn Spanish regardless of what field they go into. You will be surprised how much it will help you in your future career.
If you were speaking to current seniors who are facing decisions about college and careers what advice would you give them?
If you were speaking to current seniors who are facing decisions about college and careers what advice would you give them?
My advice to those still in high school is that a) you have such a long road ahead of you (it’s intimidating) but you’re in for the most exciting and important moments in your life! b) with this in mind, extend your friendship to anyone and everyone in need. You never know who may turn out to help you when you need it most c) everyone is rooting for you, go out - can I end with a pun? – trailblaze!
Lower School: 11052 Independence Avenue
Middle and Upper School: 20801 Rinaldi Street
Chatsworth, CA 91311 | 818.882.8121
Middle and Upper School: 20801 Rinaldi Street
Chatsworth, CA 91311 | 818.882.8121
Sierra Canyon School is a private, independent, non-sectarian, co-educational, college preparatory school for students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12 located in Chatsworth, California. The highly cosmopolitan campus community is reflective of the Greater Los Angeles area and the world at large. Students are empowered to realize their greatest creative, ethical, intellectual and physical promise through small class sizes, a diverse student-teacher culture and a family-like environment.
