2026 Stritch Commencement Student Speaker
Future anesthesiologist with deep interest in global health preparing to address class as Stritch Commencement student speaker
Athena Barrett shares a joyful hug with a classmate after learning she matched into the anesthesiology residency program at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center at Stritch's Match Day celebration in March 2026.
Athena Barrett has been Class of 2026 president for the past four years and has also been actively involved in research projects, community service activities, and the Community and Global Health (CGH) Honors Program during her time at Stritch. She is planning to specialize in anesthesiology and has a strong interest in academic medicine and global health.
Class president is a role that she considers to be one of the most meaningful experiences of her time at Stritch. Barrett notes, “This role gave me the opportunity to advocate for my classmates, build a sense of community, and help navigate challenges together over the course of medical school.”
One experience she particularly enjoyed in her role as class president was helping to organize the Match Day celebration at Stritch. Of the occasion, she says, “Match Day was a full-circle celebration of our journey together as we prepare to take the next step in our training.” During the event, the M4s opened personalized envelopes to learn where they matched for residency. When Barrett opened her envelope, she learned that she matched into the anesthesiology residency program at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
An anesthesiology elective in her third year of medical school sparked Barrett’s initial interest in the specialty. Subsequent rotations in general anesthesiology, on the pain service, and in the cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (ICU) solidified her decision to pursue anesthesiology. “I absolutely loved being able to apply physiology and pharmacology concepts in real time in the operating room, and much of what I learned during my preclinical years in medical school finally made sense in my head,” she says.
Participating in the CGH Honors Program strengthened her interest in health equity and working with underserved populations. Through the program, Barrett had the opportunity to create a global health elective in Manaus, Brazil. During the rotation, she worked within a healthcare system with different resource constraints and care delivery models than those in the United States.
“This work challenged me to think critically about adaptability, equity, and access to care,” she says. “Ultimately, I hope to integrate global health into my career as an anesthesiologist, using these experiences to inform how I approach patient care, resource stewardship, and health equity both internationally and within underserved communities in the United States.”
Athena Barrett, M4 class president, (right) and Phaedra Johnson, M4 class vice president, (left) welcomed attendees at 2026 Match Day celebration.
Athena Barrett (second from left) celebrates with two classmates after learning where they matched for residency on Match Day.
In the Q&A below, Athena Barrett shares thoughts on her Stritch experience and advice for future medical students.
Why did you choose Stritch?
I ultimately chose Stritch because of the supportive student body and Stritch’s deep commitment to service, diversity, and global health. Over the past four years, I have formed lifelong friendships with my classmates, and I cannot underscore enough how supportive students are of each other here. Along the way, I’ve found amazing mentors, gotten involved in research, loved the hands-on clinical experiences, and made myself at home in the Chicagoland area. Looking back, Stritch was the best choice I could have made for my medical education.
What has been your proudest achievement during medical school?
Looking back, I think I am most proud of the person I’ve become. I’m proud that over the past four years I’ve been able to remain true to the values that drew me to medicine, while growing both personally and professionally. More than any single achievement, I’m proud that I’ve grown into someone who strives to lead with empathy, stay committed to service, and support the people around me.
How did it feel to be selected as the Stritch Commencement student speaker?
Being selected as the Stritch Commencement student speaker is an incredible honor and deeply humbling. It is so meaningful to represent my classmates one last time on stage to share about our collective journey and reflect on the growth, challenges, and accomplishments that have shaped us over the past four years. Being selected fills me with pride and gratitude and serves as a reminder of how fortunate I have been to learn, grow, and lead alongside such an inspiring community.
How will your leadership experiences influence how you practice medicine?
My leadership experiences have taught me the value of listening, collaboration, and teamwork in creating meaningful change, lessons I plan to carry with me in my future practice. Serving as a liaison between students and medical school leadership has reinforced the importance of advocacy and clear communication, which I hope to bring to patient care and team-based clinical settings. These experiences have also deepened my interest in academic medicine, where I can mentor and support learners and help create a stronger, more supportive path for them to follow.
What is one piece of advice you have for future medical students?
One piece of advice I would give future medical students is to be open-minded, eager to learn, and fully present. Medical school exposes you to so many different specialties, perspectives, and patient experiences, and some of the most meaningful lessons come when you ask insightful questions and allow yourself to fully engage with those opportunities.
By Emma Graves and Denise Jones
April 2026
Athena Barrett has been Class of 2026 president for the past four years and has also been actively involved in research projects, community service activities, and the Community and Global Health (CGH) Honors Program during her time at Stritch. She is planning to specialize in anesthesiology and has a strong interest in academic medicine and global health.
Class president is a role that she considers to be one of the most meaningful experiences of her time at Stritch. Barrett notes, “This role gave me the opportunity to advocate for my classmates, build a sense of community, and help navigate challenges together over the course of medical school.”
One experience she particularly enjoyed in her role as class president was helping to organize the Match Day celebration at Stritch. Of the occasion, she says, “Match Day was a full-circle celebration of our journey together as we prepare to take the next step in our training.” During the event, the M4s opened personalized envelopes to learn where they matched for residency. When Barrett opened her envelope, she learned that she matched into the anesthesiology residency program at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
An anesthesiology elective in her third year of medical school sparked Barrett’s initial interest in the specialty. Subsequent rotations in general anesthesiology, on the pain service, and in the cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (ICU) solidified her decision to pursue anesthesiology. “I absolutely loved being able to apply physiology and pharmacology concepts in real time in the operating room, and much of what I learned during my preclinical years in medical school finally made sense in my head,” she says.
Participating in the CGH Honors Program strengthened her interest in health equity and working with underserved populations. Through the program, Barrett had the opportunity to create a global health elective in Manaus, Brazil. During the rotation, she worked within a healthcare system with different resource constraints and care delivery models than those in the United States.
“This work challenged me to think critically about adaptability, equity, and access to care,” she says. “Ultimately, I hope to integrate global health into my career as an anesthesiologist, using these experiences to inform how I approach patient care, resource stewardship, and health equity both internationally and within underserved communities in the United States.”
In the Q&A below, Athena Barrett shares thoughts on her Stritch experience and advice for future medical students.
Why did you choose Stritch?
I ultimately chose Stritch because of the supportive student body and Stritch’s deep commitment to service, diversity, and global health. Over the past four years, I have formed lifelong friendships with my classmates, and I cannot underscore enough how supportive students are of each other here. Along the way, I’ve found amazing mentors, gotten involved in research, loved the hands-on clinical experiences, and made myself at home in the Chicagoland area. Looking back, Stritch was the best choice I could have made for my medical education.
What has been your proudest achievement during medical school?
Looking back, I think I am most proud of the person I’ve become. I’m proud that over the past four years I’ve been able to remain true to the values that drew me to medicine, while growing both personally and professionally. More than any single achievement, I’m proud that I’ve grown into someone who strives to lead with empathy, stay committed to service, and support the people around me.
How did it feel to be selected as the Stritch Commencement student speaker?
Being selected as the Stritch Commencement student speaker is an incredible honor and deeply humbling. It is so meaningful to represent my classmates one last time on stage to share about our collective journey and reflect on the growth, challenges, and accomplishments that have shaped us over the past four years. Being selected fills me with pride and gratitude and serves as a reminder of how fortunate I have been to learn, grow, and lead alongside such an inspiring community.
How will your leadership experiences influence how you practice medicine?
My leadership experiences have taught me the value of listening, collaboration, and teamwork in creating meaningful change, lessons I plan to carry with me in my future practice. Serving as a liaison between students and medical school leadership has reinforced the importance of advocacy and clear communication, which I hope to bring to patient care and team-based clinical settings. These experiences have also deepened my interest in academic medicine, where I can mentor and support learners and help create a stronger, more supportive path for them to follow.
What is one piece of advice you have for future medical students?
One piece of advice I would give future medical students is to be open-minded, eager to learn, and fully present. Medical school exposes you to so many different specialties, perspectives, and patient experiences, and some of the most meaningful lessons come when you ask insightful questions and allow yourself to fully engage with those opportunities.
By Emma Graves and Denise Jones
April 2026