From numbers to neurons
Second chance inspires finance pro to pursue medical dreams at UC Clermont
Five years ago, Spencer Singh was moving fast, climbing the ranks in investment banking through positions in New York City, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. While working in Houston in 2019, however, Singh’s professional rise came to a screeching halt.
A motorcycle accident left Singh with multiple fractures of his spine, sternum, clavicle and shoulder. Through a months-long rehabilitation process, Singh was inspired by the neurosurgeons who saved his life — and reconsidered his own path.
“I’ve always been around health care and realized I wanted to work with my hands, not sit behind a desk,” said Singh, whose father is a practicing obstetrician-gynecologist, and mother a former emergency responder. “After my accident, I wanted to help others the way I’d been helped.”
Singh left banking in January 2022 with plans to return to college to earn the necessary pre-requisites he needed to apply to medical school. A 2014 Turpin High School graduate who wanted to move closer to home, fortunately Singh didn’t need to look too far — the University of Cincinnati Clermont College in Batavia offered exactly the type of personalized environment he was looking for as a second-time student.
“I wanted a strong connection with my professors and small classes,” Singh said. UC Clermont’s current student-to-faculty ratio is 10:1. “Not a big lecture hall, but somewhere I could ask deeper questions, stay after class, and connect with professors and other students. I felt like I knew everyone when I came to class and that I was meant to be there.”
Singh has taken most of his classes in person and even joined Student Government, for which he received a scholarship.
“It was a great opportunity,” he said. “I felt like I could lead and make a difference on a smaller campus where you see your impact every day — and still felt like I was part of something bigger.”
I feel like I’m ready for the next step. I want to give my future patients second chances at life, like I’ve had.
Spencer Singh UC Clermont pre-medicine major
This December, Singh will add a Pre-Health Sciences: Pre-Medicine associate degree from UC Clermont to his previously earned bachelor’s degree in finance from Miami University. He then plans to study for and take the Medical College Admission Test next June, with the goal of becoming a neurosurgeon.
But Singh is already gaining experience and building relationships in the field through work with mentors Rani Nasser, MD, and Charles Prestigiacomo, MD, both faculty members in UC’s College of Medicine Department of Neurosurgery.
Singh serves as a medical scribe in the department, has shadowed the physicians in the operating room and published research with each during the last two years. He also works at the Academy of Medicine Cincinnati, the Ohio State Neurosurgical Society of Cincinnati and helps raise money locally for Mission Brain, a national 501(c)(3) that brings neurosurgical expertise and care to underserved areas around the globe.
“When it comes to neurosurgery, being able to have a patient fully give themselves to you, to embrace that moment and look within such sacred parts of the human body — the brain and spine — really intrigues me,” Singh said. “It’s the most prestigious acknowledgement someone could give you.”
As Singh looks ahead to a promising career, he said UC Clermont has played an integral role in preparing him for his second professional pursuit. The college provided a nurturing environment while he gained the knowledge base and academic background needed for the MCAT and eventually, medical school — and saving lives.
“I feel like I’m ready for the next step,” said Singh. “I want to give my future patients second chances at life, like I’ve had.”
Featured image at top:: UC Clermont pre-medicine student Spencer Singh on the college's campus. Photos/Danny Kidd
UC Clermont
UC Clermont College is located in the center of Clermont County on 91 beautiful, wooded acres in Batavia Township. The college is an accredited, open-access institution offering more than 60 programs and degrees. UC Clermont is part of the nationally recognized University of Cincinnati. For more information, call 513-556-5400 or visit www.ucclermont.edu.
Related Stories
SELF: 6 things you should know about exercise and the COVID-19 vaccines
May 4, 2021
Carl Fichtenbaum, MD, of the UC College of Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases, was one of the sources cited in an article published by SELF on six things to know about exercise and COVID-19 vaccines.
Village Life partners with UC International to support Global Scholars
April 14, 2021
Two students from Tanzania receive Global Opportunity Scholarships and get a big Bearcat welcome!
Fox19: World Voice Day with UC Health
April 15, 2021
Rebecca Howell, MD, of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in the UC College of Medicine, was interviewed by WXIX-TV, Fox19 about World Voice Day coming up on Friday, April 16.
Cincinnati.com: It's spring. You're vaccinated. We asked docs what they feel is safe, what they'd avoid
April 12, 2021
Jennifer Forrester, MD, of the UC College of Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases was one of the expert sources cited in an article on Cincinnati.com on how safe or unsafe doctors feel certain activities are as we get into spring and more and more people are vaccinated against COVID-19.
The Body: How one Black woman wrestles with vaccine hesitancy
April 20, 2021
Carl Fichtenbaum, MD, of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the UC College of Medicine was one of the sources cited in an article published in The Body about the author's concern about getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Fichtenbaum stressed the safety and efficacy of the vaccines and said they would not interere with treatments for cancer and HIV/AIDS.
2021 University Recognition Ceremony honors student achievements
April 13, 2021
The University of Cincinnati recognizes students each year who have made significant service, leadership, and academic contributions to the UC community. These students exemplify the spirit of what it means to be a Bearcat.
Over 100 Mental Health Champions graduated this spring
April 28, 2021
On April 15, 2021, over 100 faculty and staff across the University of Cincinnati graduated to become official Mental Health Champions, a now Healthy UC initiative. These dedicated colleagues successfully completed three trainings focused on creating connections and community, supporting students and co-workers with resources, and investing in their own personal wellness. Trainings were hosted by fellow colleagues who became facilitators in Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR), Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and the Be Well UC employee wellness program. All Mental Health Champions actively demonstrate their commitment to building the culture of positive well-being at the University.
Medscape: New study confirms kidney dialysis worsens pregnancy outcomes
April 30, 2021
Silvi Shah, MD, of the Division of Nephrology, Kidney CARE Program, at the UC College of Medicine, was cited as a source in a Medscape story on new research showing that kidney dialysis worsens outcome for pregnant women.
President picks exceptional talent
April 28, 2021
The University of Cincinnati 2021 Presidential Leadership Medal of Excellence Awards honor six undergraduate scholars for scholarship, leadership, character, service and the ideals of the university. Awardees are spotlighted for exceptional academics, creativity, community service and innovation.
Grad students earn president's highest honor
April 28, 2021
The University of Cincinnati 2021 Presidential Medal of Graduate Student Excellence Awards honor three graduate scholars for scholarship, leadership, character, service and the ideals of the university. Awardees are spotlighted for exceptional academics, creativity, community service and innovation.