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Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2024 graduate Hannah Lyons was raised in Sidney, Ohio. She received her undergraduate degree at Ursuline College, where she played college softball and majored in biology with minors in chemistry and psychology. She also has an M.S. in biomedical sciences from Marian University. She matched into neurology at the University of Cincinnati and has an interest in movement disorders and headaches. She hopes to pursue a fellowship in the future. 

Q: What was your childhood like? Who were your inspirations? Was there anything critical that happened that brought you to this point in life?

Hannah Lyons: I grew up with one younger brother, and we would both say that our biggest inspiration is our amazing parents. They are some of the hardest workers that I know, our biggest fans at every single event growing up, and always encouraged us to follow our dreams. My brother and I grew up playing softball and baseball, and bonding over artwork and drawing. Softball and art were my first big passions in life, and I had a wonderful community growing up in Sidney and going to a small school, Houston High School. I am so lucky to have always had such a great support system of family and friends, teachers, mentors and coaches growing up – I couldn’t be more thankful! 

What led you to medical school?

My aspiration of becoming a physician, particularly a neurologist, began in high school. My mother is a nurse practitioner, and I always looked up to her with her passion for health care and her empathy. My mom and my love for science inspired me to pursue biology in college and to work as a nursing assistant. I love caring for people, the power of healing and research; medicine truly felt like a calling. After taking several neuroscience, anatomy and psychology courses, as well as obtaining my master’s degree and obtaining further clinical experiences, I knew that medicine was the only path for me. 

What was the most impactful experience you had while in medical school?

The most impactful experience that I had while in medical school would definitely be my neurology research internship with Dr. Martin Taylor at OrthoNeuro. I had the opportunity to pursue research with Dr. Taylor after my first year of medical school, which gave me early exposure to the field of neurology and the great impact of helping heal those with neurological disease. He became a strong mentor for me throughout med school, as I even had a rotation with him during third year, when he helped to prepare me for my audition rotations in neurology. Other very impactful experiences include my time as a crisis counselor, as well as volunteering for the Alzheimer’s Association. 

What was the most important lesson you learned while in medical school?

While reflecting on my journey through medical school, the most profound lesson I learned transcends the boundaries of textbooks and lecture: compassion is just as vital as clinical knowledge. While med school equipped me with the technical skills to diagnose and treat, it is the empathy and understanding that I have cultivated throughout the years that define my approach to care. The power of human connection, the importance of listening and the profound impact of kindness. Other important lessons include maintaining work-life balance and making sure to nurture your personal family/friend relationships as the bonds shared with your loved ones are the foundation upon which resilience and fulfillment are built! As well as the importance of speaking your truth, getting time in the sun, maintaining a workout routine and not worrying about the different study methods of your classmates. 

Were you involved in research? If so, could you share more about what you worked on?

Since my master’s program, I have worked for a research team as an independent contractor, assisting with systematic review and meta-analysis publications particularly over neurological, neurointerventional and covid-19 topics. I have helped write medical manuscripts including a technical paper for Johnson & Johnson, a repository of mechanical thrombectomy outcomes in acute ischemic stroke and more. During my neuro research internship at OrthoNeuro, I assisted with prospective open-label clinical studies, a case report and a CME presentation covering cervical dystonia. I have also had the opportunity to help write a book chapter over Superior Hypogastric Plexus nerve blocks, including drawing a medical illustration for the chapter! 

What are you most excited about for your future?

I have so much to be excited about, particularly moving to a city I love (Cincinnati) with my husband and dog, and being so close to my family and friends during residency! I couldn’t be more excited to have matched into such a strong neurology residency program where I feel I will thrive and be truly so supported, and I already feel so welcomed by my amazing team. I always look forward to new friendships and each new adventure, and it still doesn’t feel real that I get to pursue my dream of becoming a neurologist! 

Who has helped you along the way? Is there anyone you want to recognize?

I am truly so grateful for my strong support system: my husband (Alex), mom (Cindy), dad (Kevin), brother (Jacob), grandma (Fran), in-laws (Denita, Mike), brother in law (Greg), my best friends, colleagues and mentors. My husband for always keeping my coffee mug full, his endless encouragement/support and for believing in me and my dreams since the day we met. I am also so thankful for one of my mentors, Dr. Taylor, for his great teaching, preparation for neurology rotations, and of course for my go-to book: Neurology Secrets!  

How do you like to spend your free time?

As retired college athletes, my husband and I now enjoy golfing together, as well as sand volleyball and pickleball. I also stay active on my Peloton and going on walks/runs/hikes with my Mini Australian Shepherd, Tito. I love reading, particularly psychological thrillers in audiobook form, and I love to draw with pencil or pen when I have extra free time. I also greatly enjoy spending quality time with family, and discovering new breweries or coffee shops with friends.