Haley Moriarty, Class of 2029, first began to think about pursuing a career in medicine after graduating from Northeastern University and working as a clinical assistant at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Through those experiences, she realized that medicine was where she was meant to be. 

“I got some hands-on experience that really made me think, ‘Okay, I want to do this,’” she says. “I just loved the patients that I was working with. That’s when I thought, ‘Okay, this is for me.’” 

As she began searching for medical schools, Haley was looking for more than just a strong academic program. She wanted a place where she felt connected to the people around her, to the patients she would eventually serve, and to the community she would call home. 

That’s when the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont quickly rose to the top of her list. Growing up in Granby, Massachusetts, Haley says Burlington reminded her of home in a way that immediately felt right. 

“I landed on UVM because I felt like this was really similar to where I grew up,” she says. “It felt comfortable in the best way possible.” 

But like so many medical students, Haley also had to think carefully about the financial realities of pursuing a medical degree. Scholarships ultimately helped make it possible for her to choose Larner and pursue the career she had worked so hard toward. 

“I did end up getting scholarship support, and that kind of pushed my decision over the edge,” Haley says. “It made it a lot more affordable.” 

For students pursuing careers in medicine, scholarship support can make all the difference. It helps ease the financial burden that comes with years of rigorous education and training, allowing students like Haley to focus more fully on learning, serving patients, and preparing for their future careers in medicine. 

Since arriving at Larner, Haley has embraced opportunities to learn both inside and outside the classroom. Through clinical simulations, patient interactions, and mentorship from faculty physicians, she is reminded about what she loves most about medicine: human connection. 

Outside of class, Haley has also immersed herself in her new community. She serves on the Larner student council as Finance Chair, helping oversee budgets for student organizations and serving as a resource for her classmates. When she’s not studying, you can often find her exploring Burlington’s coffee shops or taking advantage of the outdoors and close-knit community that first drew her to Vermont. 

At the same time, Haley is already beginning to think about the kind of physician she hopes to become over the next three years. While she’s still early in her medical school journey, she’s particularly interested in oncology after working with cancer patients prior to coming to Larner.

She hopes to build a career centered around long-term patient relationships, compassion, and helping people navigate some of the most difficult moments in their lives, while also working to build a more equitable health care system. 

“I want to be the provider who can give hope to someone. At the very least, a shoulder to cry on, or someone that they can look up to and know that even if things aren’t going well, I’m going to be a constant in their life.” 

The support of scholarship donors has helped make Haley’s journey possible. By investing in students like Haley, donors are helping train the next generation of physicians while also ensuring talented students can pursue careers in medicine regardless of financial circumstance. 

“Knowing that someone saw something in me, I am really, really thankful for that,” Haley says. “It’s motivating to know that someone’s looking at you and thinking they believe in you.”