Unexpected challenges arose for Savanna Hoyt (’24) during her journey toward the M.D.
July 11, 2024
Savanna Hoyt, M.D. (’24) had plenty on her mind as she prepared for STEP 1. She had been spending her days studying for the exam after finishing her second year in the College of Medicine at NEOMED, putting her halfway towards her M.D. The plan was to spend the summer preparing for STEP 1 before entering her crucial third year, as she would begin to contemplate her residency selections and what life after NEOMED would look like.
Then something completely unexpected popped up that threatened to throw those plans in disarray. Dr. Hoyt woke up one morning and was completely blind in one eye. Knowing it was cause for alarm, she went to the hospital for what turned out to be a five-day visit. She was put on steroids and was released in time to take the STEP 1. Despite the chaos, Dr. Hoyt still took the exam as scheduled, and passed.
Shortly after, she went to her appointment with a neurologist to get to the bottom of her sudden blindness in one eye. What she learned was devastating – she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) at age 24, despite no other noticeable symptoms and no family history.
Suddenly, her well-planned future seemed unknown.
“I was in denial a little and was in shock at first,” Dr. Hoyt said. “I was worried it might be the end of med school for me.”
Fortunately, Dr. Hoyt was able to tap into the support system of family and friends surrounding her. She had built many close friendships with classmates since starting at NEOMED in the fall of 2020. One thought in particular kept her going during a difficult time when everything she had been working towards suddenly seemed in doubt – the image of celebrating with her friends during Commencement.
Caption: Dr. Hoyt was able to realize her dream of earning her M.D.
The thought continued to motivate Dr. Hoyt during her last two years in the College of Medicine. She overcame several flare ups, including waking up with no vision – this time though, in her right eye. While her health issues were unpredictable thanks to the MS diagnosis, Dr. Hoyt remained determined not to let them slow her down. She dedicated herself to finishing her degree as planned, and on May 4, 2024, she reached the goal she had been working towards as she walked across the stage at EJ Thomas Hall to receive her M.D., along with the same classmates she began her NEOMED journey with at the start of her M1 year.
“My best friends supported me so much throughout this whole process, and it was so important to me that we all graduated together after everything we’ve been through,” said Dr. Hoyt.
Caption: Young Savannah “operates” on one her toys.
Not only did she graduate on time, but Dr. Hoyt was also able to earn a residency match with her top choice. She is now preparing for a residency in emergency medicine at the Florida Atlantic University Schmidt College of Medicine. The residency also brings her closer to her family in Florida, where she grew up just 20 minutes down the road in Deerfield Beach.
While Dr. Hoyt is aware that the “invisible illness” that is MS could cause relapses at any moment, she is being proactive by following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, taking caution when she begins to feel overwhelmed, and generally taking better care of herself since learning the diagnosis.
Her ability and motivation are steering her towards her next long-time goal – to eventually work for or start her own nonprofit organization that supports patients with MS.