Beyond the Pause Helix
Stephanie Moss, MDStephanie Moss, MD, PGY-1 Psychiatry, hit an unexpected roadblock in medical school. It was an experience that changed her approach to medicine.
Health & Well-being
Dr. Moss started suffering physically due to the stress. She struggled with block exams, fell behind her cohort and had a tough time with Step 1 practice exams. She took a leave of absence at the end of her second year in 2021.
“It was horrible,” Dr. Moss said. “At the beginning, I did not know anyone else who was taking a leave of absence, so I felt very alone. It was very demoralizing.”
She pushed herself to keep studying for Step 1 but ultimately failed that exam. She chose to take a step back, continue therapy, and refocus on hobbies and community activism. She took up dancing again, taught fitness classes and started a homelessness advocacy group in Chicago.
Published April 9, 2025
