What Great Minds Can Do: Brendan Hammond
Brendan's exceptional accomplishments and diverse experiences in Seton Hall's Joint Bachelor's M.D. Program secured him a coveted spot among the most competitive medical school applicants. He received nine medical school acceptances, including one from the prestigious Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.
Determined to take advantage of every rich opportunity available, Brendan's Seton Hall years were marked by a relentless pursuit of academic excellence and personal growth. He conducted research, published two manuscripts, contributed to ten conference abstracts, and complemented his academic pursuits with a variety of extracurricular activities. Embodying the servant leadership spirit of Seton Hall, he volunteered on the EMS squad and founded an organization dedicated to training underserved community members in CPR as well as other life-saving techniques.
Brendan's commitment to patient care was further strengthened through ten impressive shadow opportunities with physicians across various specialties. His most impactful experience was with a bariatric surgeon who became his mentor. “I observed firsthand how he prioritized patient well-being over personal gain, even waiving out-of-network surgery costs for a patient in need. This experience has solidified my desire to pursue a career in medicine and become a compassionate and ethical physician like the surgeon I shadowed.”
His drive for service also inspired Brendan to pursue a minor in medical humanities to complement his studies. “The medical humanities minor was very impactful and helped me stand out in the medical school application process. It shows that you're a well-rounded applicant and nurtures things like compassion, empathy, and communication skills, which are essential for future success as a physician.”
Brendan's compassionate and collaborative nature made Seton Hall's close-knit community an ideal environment for him to thrive. He felt right at home among his peers. “I spoke with friends at other universities and learned that many experienced a more competitive and cutthroat environment. I never felt that way at Seton Hall, I always felt supported and encouraged by my peers. Many students were willing to share resources with one another. I remember during my freshman year we had a really big exam coming up and someone just shared an entire study guide.”
With deep gratitude, Brendan expressed how the faculty mentorship and premed support he received at Seton Hall played a crucial role in his success. “My professors went above and beyond to support me throughout the medical school application process providing mock interviews, essay editing, secondary application reviews, MCAT preparation, and some even shared their personal contact information for guidance during the summer. I firmly believe that without their invaluable support, I would not have achieved the success I did in securing multiple medical school acceptances.”
Brendan's extensive experience and accomplishments at Seton Hall and the deep connections he made with faculty, medical professionals, and peers will undoubtedly serve as a strong foundation for his medical career. “From life-long friends to faculty that I hope to stay connected with in the future, I’ll never forget the experience I had here at Seton Hall”.
- Recipient of nine medical school offers
- Dr. Herbert Dardik’s Surgical Internship Program – Englewood Health Medical Center
- Vascular Research lab – Englewood Health Medical Center
- Vascular Surgery Clinical Research – Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
- Emergency Department Scribe – RWJBarnabas Health
- 10 abstract contributions for conferences nationwide
- 4 published medical manuscripts
- 10 medical shadowing opportunities
- Co-Founder, Co-President – MedicZero Seton Hall
- Co-Founder, Help Us Make Masks to Save Lives Fundraiser
- Member, Medical Humanities and Biomedical Ethics Club
- EMS Volunteer, Morganville First Aid and Rescue Squad
- DOVE volunteer, The Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless/Service
- Member, Seton Hall University HOSA- Future Health Professionals
- Member, The Health Preprofessional Honor Society
- Dardik Award - by the Vascular Society of New Jersey
- Member, Green New Deal Club
- Member, Alpha Epsilon Delta
- Basketball, Soccer, and Flag Football Intramural Sports