B.E.S.T PARTICIPANT TESTIMONY
July 28ᵗʰ – August 1ˢᵗ 2025
Christine Tu | 杜宇晟
Pre-med sophomore at Johns Hopkins
When I arrived at the B.E.S.T. (Business, Engineering, and Surgical Technologies Innovation Workshop) at IRCAD-Taiwan, I was a 19-year-old rising sophomore at Johns Hopkins University. At the time, I was still uncertain whether to pursue business or medicine, but my father, the chapter president of NATMA-Atlanta, encouraged me to join the program. I began the workshop without fully realizing the profound impact it would have on me.
As the youngest participant in a room filled with physicians, engineers, and investors—most in their late 20s or 30s—I initially felt out of place. Yet from the very first day, I was welcomed into interdisciplinary groups blending medical, business, and engineering perspectives from Taiwan, the Philippines, France, the U.S., and across Asia. What I once feared would be a weakness—being “just a college student”—quickly became an opportunity. The leadership and teamwork skills I had built at Hopkins translated seamlessly, and I soon found myself not only collaborating with but also leading teammates much older than me. The faculty were equally inspiring, with nearly one mentor for every participant. Learning directly from physicians, venture capitalists, and biotech CEOs who were deeply committed to mentoring the next generation was invaluable.
The lab sessions proved to be a turning point. Before B.E.S.T., I had never seriously considered a career in surgery. Practicing minimally invasive techniques with laparoscopic instruments—an opportunity seldom available to undergraduates in the U.S.—ignited my decision to fully commit to the pre-med track and actively seek greater exposure to surgical specialties.
Equally meaningful were the relationships I formed. As a Taiwanese American fluent in Mandarin and familiar with the culture, I connected quickly with Taiwanese students and professionals. Those bonds remain among the most lasting takeaways from the program—offering both friendship and mentorship that continue to shape my journey.
Looking back, the IRCAD and B.E.S.T. program stands out as one of the most formative experiences of my college career thus far. I entered uncertain and hesitant but left inspired, motivated, and confident in my path forward—clear that medicine, and possibly a surgical specialty, is where I want to go. I am profoundly grateful to NATMA for opening this door, and I highly recommend B.E.S.T. to any student eager to explore the intersection of healthcare innovation and global collaboration.
