From summer research to board prep, one inaugural medical student reflects on the milestones shaping his path to clinical training
Throughout their four years of medical school, we are keeping up with members of the inaugural class of the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine. These students, each with their unique backgrounds, aspirations and perspectives, are not just pursuing their dreams of becoming physicians — they're helping to shape the future of medical education at Belmont University.
Now in their second year, they are moving from foundational coursework into clinical rotations, taking their first board exams and stepping into the hospitals and clinics where they will train as future physicians. Their stories offer a window into the evolving world of medical education and the innovative approach of Belmont's newest college.
Two years after beginning his training as a student in the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine, Noah Wills-Johnston is preparing to embark on the next step in his medical career.
Eager to begin turning classroom learning into hands-on expertise, Wills-Johnston is preparing to take his first board exams and begin clinical clerkships — milestones that exemplify the payoff of dedication, discipline and growth.
“As this year winds down, I’m reminded of the hard work that went into everything we’ve done so far,” he shared. “It’s all extremely rewarding, though, and that’s what makes it worthwhile.”
Building Passion Through Hands-On Experience
Wills-Johnston came to medical school already interested in being hands-on with patient care. A lifelong science enthusiast, his fascination with complex systems and the intricacies of the human body led him to pursue a summer internship researching acute diverticulitis surgery.
“My summer research was an amazing experience,” he said. “I learned so much about surgical skills and excision techniques in my internship. By the time we started our Gastrointestinal unit in school this year, I was really prepared, which was super exciting.”
Taking the lead on his summer work deepened Wills-Johnston's interest in colorectal surgery and gave him a strong foundation for his second-year coursework. He credits the challenges of medical school with pushing him to grow in a positive way and to persevere when things get tough.
“I like to stay busy, so I really thrive in this environment,” he shared. “Being ahead of the curve in class due to my research made even more advanced topics feel accessible. I love the gastrointestinal system because though it appears simple, if anything disrupts it, the rest of the body can be affected. That cause-to-effect intrigues me and keeps me motivated to learn more.”
Preparing for his Next Step with Purpose
In preparing to take his pre-clerkship board exams, Wills-Johnston credits his disciplined approach to studying, focusing on consistency and strategic preparation, with helping him master tough concepts.
Rather than relying on memorization alone, board exams require students to synthesize knowledge, recognize patterns and apply critical thinking to complex clinical scenarios.
“While it is impossible to completely master every unit while studying, capitalizing on your strengths can lead to a lot of success when working with this much information,” Wills-Johnston said. “Making sure I’m rested, prepared and focused when I sit down to do my work has been critical in staying on track.”
Medical students must pass the first phase of their board exams to begin clerkships after their second year of medical school. While many students will take the exam as early as February, Wills-Johnston chose to wait until late April, giving him more dedicated test preparation time.
“Taking the exam later can be nerve-wracking to some people, but the extra prep time is important to me,” he shared. “As time goes on, my determination to do well only gets stronger.”
Embracing a New Future
As Wills-Johnston prepares to begin his clerkship rotations, he credits his support system at home with helping him to stay grounded and embrace the experience.
“My family is up in New York, but they always support me,” he said. “And I think they’ve seen some of the personal growth that’s taken place in me. They call to check in a lot, and it’s a nice reminder that I have some really great people in my corner.”
As preparations begin for this big life change, Wills-Johnston is also celebrating a new development a little closer to home: adopting a new puppy named Matcha, who is already providing companionship to his older dog, Naruto.
“It’s really sweet to watch them play together,” he shared. “Naruto loves her a lot, and they bring me a lot of joy through the chaos of school.”
As he prepares for this next phase of training, Wills-Johnston is approaching it with focus, resilience and a clear sense of purpose, ready to translate years of learning into real-world care.
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