Adrienne R. Kambouris, PhD, MBA, MSIV
MD Candidate
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Incoming PGY-I in Cardiothoracic Surgery
Northwestern University Health
Northwestern School of Medicine
Friday, April 10, 2026
5pm-6:30pm PST
Workshop Description:
The road to medicine does not have to be traditional to be extraordinary. This workshop is designed for community college and university premed students who need a powerful reminder that where you begin does not determine where you can go. Adrienne R. Kambouris, PhD, MBA, MD candidate at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and incoming PGY-I in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Northwestern, will share her remarkable journey from serving ten years as a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant to becoming a physician-scientist, mother of three, and future surgeon in one of medicine’s most competitive fields. She will speak candidly about resilience, discipline, service, family, sacrifice, and the mindset required to keep moving forward when the path feels overwhelming. You can come, ask your questions and get answers in a supportive, student-centered conversation about purpose, perseverance, and building a life in medicine that reflects your values. Most importantly, come hear directly from the source instead of second-hand or bad information or people who have no clue about the admission process. Leave inspired, grounded, and ready to believe bigger about your own future.
About the Speaker:
Adrienne Kambouris is a Baltimore native, physician-scientist, wife, and mother of three. She served as a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant for ten years before earning her MD, PhD, and MBA. Her journey to medicine has been shaped by years of caregiving, community engagement, and a deep commitment to bridging the gap between underserved communities and the healthcare system.
Adrienne has led health initiatives through her church and is passionate about health literacy, mentorship, and rebuilding trust in medicine. She recently matched into cardiothoracic surgery at Northwestern, one of the most competitive training pathways in medicine. Through her work and her story, she hopes to show students that there is no single path to success, and that where you start does not limit where you can go.
Register for Free:
What: From Staff Sergeant to Surgeon: A Powerful Journey to MD/PhD, MBA, and Motherhood
When: Friday, April 10, 2026, 5 PM (Pacific Standard Time)
You will receive an immediate email confirmation of your registration from Zoom. PLEASE check your SPAM or JUNK folder, as the email might be directed there. Additionally, you will receive an email reminder from Zoom ONE hour before the event, sent to the same email address you used for registration.
