Crystal Vejar

Growing up in Utah as the oldest of three siblings, Crystal Vejar, MS’25, knew early on that she had both an affinity for science and for helping those around her.

“I was the oldest child, and I think that instilled in me a strong sense of needing to care for others,” said Vejar, a sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves and recent graduate of BU’s Graduate Medical Sciences Master of Science in Medical Sciences (MAMS) program, now a medical student at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Vejar’s career path wasn’t a straight line.

“When the path is as long and difficult as it is for us pre-med students, deviation from the traditional timeline is very scary,” she said. “But it can be empowering and add to your experience in ways that can ultimately be the reason you become successful.”

Vejar’s road to medical school included studies in biomedical engineering at New York’s Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, U.S. Army enlistment in 2018 with training as a surgical technologist and deployment to a forward operating base in Somalia.

The support of family, the mentorship she received as a student and in her professional career, inspired her to mentor others. At Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS), Vejar worked with the Community Catalyst Center (C3) as a peer mentor for programs helping first-generation students, military-affiliated and veteran students, students of color and its newly launched Non-Traditional Graduate Student Community. She was a student representative on the GMS Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Steering Committee.

“I learned to look for help and rely on mentors who’d had similar experiences, or who could help me find the right people,” she said.

BU’s MAMS program molded her into a strong researcher and future health care professional, as well as a passionate advocate for others.

“I liked that MAMS focuses on making students fit what medical schools look for, from research to courses,” said Vejar.