When Jennifer Qasim graduates next spring from Marshall University’s Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, she will just be 24 years old. That’s a full four years earlier than the average med school graduate. She skipped two grades in elementary school, graduated high school and started college at 16, and graduated from college and started medical school at 20.  

“I felt like a fish out of water during my undergraduate years,” Jennifer said.  “But when I got to Marshall, I felt like I found my people.”   

So much so, she said she hopes to continue her academic career right here in Huntington.   

For Jennifer, the university isn’t just a place of academic pursuit, it’s also a sanctuary where her passions for medicine and music intertwine, shaping what her life’s mission is all about: connecting with people. 

That welcoming community feeling toward Marshall is shared by others in Jennifer’s family, who originally hail from Pakistan. Even though Jennifer came to Huntington via Texas, her ties to Huntington and the school run deep with a legacy built by her family.  

“My uncle is a physician here, and several of my cousins graduated from this medical school and undergraduate programs,” Jennifer said. 

Now a fourth-year student studying general medicine, Jennifer plans to take her studies a step further and move into internal medicine, specifically gastroenterology. 

“It’s a combination of being both very cerebral and procedural,” Jennifer said. “I want to do something where I can work with both my hands and my mind.” 

Jennifer's journey into medicine wasn't solely driven by academic ambition; it was greatly influenced by her father's battle with colon cancer.  

“I was a senior in high school when I found out my dad had cancer. The field of medicine became personal as we experienced the importance of patient-physician relationships,” Jennifer said.  

Sadly, Jennifer’s father passed away in her first year of medical school at Marshall.  But Jennifer said she was thankful to have such a compassionate environment. 

“The physicians and faculty here were incredible and so supportive.” 

In addition to the struggles her dad faced, Jennifer said her family didn't have much access to health care. And that’s something she would like to change. 

“I grew up below the poverty line, so we didn't go to the doctor unless I really needed it,” Jennifer said.  “Expanding health care access, and the social aspect of it, also drew me to medicine.” 

Arriving at Marshall, Jennifer found more than just an academic institution; she found a supportive community that embraced her passions. 

One of those passions is music. She is currently a violinist in the Marshall Symphony Orchestra. 

“I would not be the same person without music. It is calming and helps my mental health so much. The ability to share music with others helps them as well.” 

Just like finding her calling to medicine at a young age, Jennifer also always knew that music would be part of her life. 

“Even when I was in high school and had decided to pursue a career in medicine, that path always included music, too.  I'm always going to be in some sort of orchestra or some sort of chamber group.” 

At Marshall, medicine and music intertwine for Jennifer, with each endeavor fueling the other. 

“Music is about connecting with people. With medicine, you need that same ability to connect with patients who are trusting you with their health.” 

Those connections keep the harmony going while Jennifer juggles responsibilities between her academic and musical career.  

Looking ahead, Jennifer's vision for the future is filled with purpose and compassion.  

“I care deeply about and believe in the good of people,” Jennfer said.   

Whether running a practice that offers pro bono services or advocating for patient-centered care, Jennifer's unwavering dedication to leaving the world a better place is profound.  

Feature Story by Kaylin Jorge 

Date Posted: Thursday, October 10, 2024