Thanks to Duquesne, She’s Waltzing into Medical School

“Watching my parents made me realize that the path to being a doctor is difficult, but to care for people and give them the gift of good health is so rewarding,” said Peri, who is graduating from Duquesne with a bachelor’s degree in health sciences and will head off to medical school in July.

Or should we say waltz?

The Weirton, West Virginia native is also an accomplished ballroom dancer, having won various competitions in Ohio and Pennsylvania during the past four years. The vice president of Duquesne’s Ballroom Association, she recently competed in the finals at the USA Dance Nationals competition held in Pittsburgh.

“I’ve been dancing since I was three years old and ballroom has been a wonderful outlet for me both physically and mentally,” she said. 

“I'm extremely grateful to Duquesne for providing me with the opportunity to pursue my passion while completing my degree.” 

Along with dancing, Peri’s passion for helping others is evident throughout her Duquesne career. As co-chair of the Miss Duquesne Pageant, she directed and organized the event which raised more than $19,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, granting four wishes to children in the program.

“As someone who wants to enter the health care field, raising money for Make-A-Wish was one of the most impactful experiences for me as a student,” she said. “It was more than a project – it was a gift of hope for those families.”

She also enjoys spending time with children, volunteering as an instructor at the Little Medical School, which teaches children in grades 2-5 about their bodies and promotes healthy habits.

“It’s an extremely rewarding opportunity to speak with children and help spark their interest in science,” she said.

For Peri, who was named the 2024 Outstanding Student of the Health Sciences program, Duquesne was the perfect place to start pursuing her doctoral dream.

“Duquesne checked off all the boxes for me. It’s in a big city but with a small campus, so you get to know your professors and classmates. It creates a close-knit community that really helps you reach your goals.”

As she readies for medical school, Peri notes that the Duquesne network of professors and alumni adds to her confidence as she moves toward her career goal.

“I feel very prepared to enter medical school knowing that I’m part of an educational and social network at Duquesne that will continue to support me throughout my life,” she said. “I’ve met so many great professors and peers and I know those relationships will continue to help me. I appreciate the strong alumni network at Duquesne and I’m glad to be part of it now.”