Member Spotlight: Leah Sanford, MSY4
We're proud to introduce Leah Sanford as ArMA's October Member Spotlight.
Leah Sanford is a fourth-year medical student at Midwestern University. Earlier this year, she earned first place in ArMA's 2025 Poster Symposium for her clinical vignette research titled "Pulmonary Point of Care Ultrasound: A Case Series." Beyond her research achievements, Leah is also a passionate philanthropist. In 2024, she was recognized by Midwestern University with the Gold Touch Award for completing over 100 hours of volunteer work in a single academic year.
In her interview with ArMA, Leah shares how her personal journey into medicine was inspired by her own experiences with chronic illness and service in resource-limited communities abroad. Currently preparing for residency interviews, she reflects on this milestone as a culmination of years of dedication to her craft.
From excellence in clinical research to selfless dedication in serving others, Leah demonstrates the commitment and compassion fueling the next generation of physicians.
Read more about Leah and her journey as a medical student below!
Becoming a physician is no easy feat! What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine?
"I became interested in medicine at a young age while battling my own chronic illnesses, but what really inspired me was a volunteer trip to Ometepe, Nicaragua as a senior in undergrad. Experiencing healthcare in a resource-limited setting opened my eyes to the global need for compassionate, patient-centered care and solidified my commitment to becoming a physician."
What is a project you are working on right now? Why is it meaningful to you?
"Currently my focus is preparing for residency interviews. This milestone is meaningful in many ways, but most of all, it represents the years of hard work and dedication I've put into my training so far."
You secured first place in the clinical vignette category of ArMA's 2025 Poster Symposium for your research, "Pulmonary Point of Care Ultrasound: A Case Series." What do you enjoy most about medical research? What was the most important thing you learned throughout the process?
"I enjoy seeing the impact that medical research has on patient care. My previous research has been in bench work, so this project gave me my first opportunity to apply what I'd learned in a clinical setting and translate that knowledge into an organized presentation."
You received the “Gold Touch Award” from Midwestern University for volunteering over 100 hours during the academic year. Can you describe your volunteering efforts and share why donating your time is important as you pursue your medical degree?
"I was a mentor for the health careers institute for the summer of 2023 where I guided a small group of eight high school students through a week long exploration of healthcare professions. I facilitated daily discussions with these students and answered questions regarding the beginnings of their journeys to a career in healthcare. I also led break out sessions for anatomy comparing human and animal hearts, biomedical sciences exploring blood typing, and clinical medicine serving as a standardized patient in a simulation competition. Between preparing for the event (interviewing applicants and setting up sessions) and the weeklong program, I had volunteered 90 hours. My other volunteering hours consisted of other events ongoing at school by the pediatric interest group and other organizations.
Volunteering while pursuing a medical degree not only allows me to connect with people in the community from different backgrounds but also reinforces why I chose to pursue a career in medicine. Healthcare isn't just a career but a commitment to the community and volunteering early on in medical school helps to establish this mindset."
Why is ArMA important to you?
"ArMA connects students and physicians who share a common goal of improving healthcare in Arizona and strengthening the community we serve."
What song have you had on repeat lately?
"I've been listening to the KPop Demon Hunters album on repeat."
What are your top 3 favorite movies or TV shows?
"Harry Potter and Parks & Recreation."
What personal or professional achievement are you most proud of?
"I am the first person in my immediate family to go to college and the first in my extended family to attend medical school."
What is the last book you read?
"I just started reading Stephen King's The Long Walk."
What do you like best about living in Arizona?
"The people I have met that have supported me through school while my family was a thousand miles away."
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
"I took ceramic wheel throwing in college and still throw pottery at a local studio."
If you weren't practicing medicine, what would you be doing?
"I've wanted to be a physician since I was in high school so I've never really considered it. I do love to travel though... so maybe a pilot?"
