Class Ambassador Spotlight: Michelle Ponder MD ’18

We're pleased to spotlight Dr. Michelle Ponder, MD '18, whose experience at Jefferson reflects the lasting relationships that define the alumni community. From her earliest days as a student to her career today, the connections she built during medical school continue to shape how she engages with Jefferson and her fellow classmates.

For Dr. Ponder, Jefferson was not only a place of academic and clinical training, but also a community shaped by shared experiences, friendships, and support. Those relationships — formed in classrooms, clinical settings, and beyond — remain a central part of her life today.

To begin our conversation, we asked Dr. Ponder to reflect on her early days at Jefferson, what first drew her to medicine, and the moments that shaped her path forward.

Rooted in People and Purpose

Early Experiences That Shaped Her Path

From the start, Dr. Ponder's experience at Jefferson was defined by the people around her — classmates, mentors, and patients who helped shape both her perspective and her path. Looking back on her early days, she points to the relationships she built and the moments that reinforced her commitment to patient care.

When you think back to your first days at Jefferson, what stands out most?

I remember just loving every single classmate I met, and thinking, how do they do such an incredible job with admissions here? My class at Jefferson was such a great group of people, and so inspiring. I am honored to say I trained with them!"

What drew you to medicine originally?

"I have always been a people person, and there is no more social job than medicine! I also knew that in medicine, every day I would see something interesting and learn something new (usually many things!), all while doing an incredibly important job."

Is there a moment from your student years that helped shape the physician you became?

"I remember one shift, working overnight in the ER, when an unhoused patient checked into the ER with some vague symptoms. After doing an evaluation, it became clear they were seeking a few hours of shelter on a cold night. My attending spent time teaching me about the social determinants of health; what patients who are struggling may have to do to survive. It being a slower night in the ER, he told me to bring the patient a hot chocolate and let them rest a while — a moment of humanity above the hustle and bustle of medicine. Since then, I have always remembered to think about what social situations may be influencing patients' abilities to care for themselves."

A Lasting Tie to Jefferson

What Continues to Stay with Her

While Dr. Ponder's early experiences at Jefferson were shaped by the people around her, her appreciation for those relationships has only deepened over time. Over time, she reflects on the moments that have stayed with her — both inside and outside the classroom.

Looking back, what part of the Jefferson experience do you appreciate more now than you did then?

"I sang with the Arrhythmias — the female a cappella group on campus, which was a mix of medical students, residents, attendings, and other healthcare workers like PTs, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. I loved the experience and the friends I made in the group, but it wasn't until after leaving Jefferson that I realized how rare it was to find a multidisciplinary singing group that would work with my busy physician schedule."

How has your career evolved since graduation?

"My husband and I couples-matched at the University of Maryland (my home state!), which was particularly great when the pandemic hit our third year of residency — it was so nice to be close to home. Then, we moved to North Carolina after I matched at Duke for fellowship, and I became an endocrinologist, which had always been the plan since medical school. I also became board certified in obesity medicine during my fellowship and now practice as an academic endocrinologist with a focus on weight management and cardiometabolic health."

What has surprised you most about your professional journey?

"I never anticipated how quickly the world of medicine would change — how many medications, particularly in the obesity space, would be completely new since graduating from medical school. I remember learning about GLP-1 medications and thinking, wow, what a smart idea. Little did I know how much they would explode onto the public stage, just as I finished fellowship!"

Staying Engaged as an Alumna

The Value of the Alumni Community

In her experience, staying connected to Jefferson has always been grounded in relationships — from the friendships formed during medical school to the broader alumni network she continues to encounter throughout her career. That sense of community, she notes, is what makes Jefferson feel both expansive and personal.

What keeps you connected to Jefferson today?

"The close friends I keep in touch with from my time at Jefferson and our large alumni network — everywhere I go, I always know there will be Jefferson alums around! Having left Jefferson after graduation to do my residency and fellowship in two different hospital systems, I am always excited to find out other coworkers have gone to Jeff (you can always tell, because we are the best!)."

In your view, what makes alumni engagement meaningful rather than transactional?

"There are more ways to give back than financially! The insights and opinions of alumni are invaluable to the continued growth of Jefferson."

If you could offer one idea for how Jefferson could better engage alumni, what would it be?

"I want alumni to feel updated and connected to what is happening at Jefferson. How are their professors doing? What changes are being made to the curriculum? How are students doing in the Match, and what specialties were the most popular? Keeping up with what is going on helps make alumni more likely to feel like a part of the action — because they are!"

Personal Reflections and Advice

A Message to Classmates and a Glimpse Beyond Medicine

As someone who remains closely connected to her classmates and the broader Jefferson community, Dr. Ponder emphasizes the importance of staying engaged — not only with the institution, but with one another. She also shares a few personal reflections that offer a fuller picture of the experiences and interests that continue to shape her life beyond medicine.

What would you say to classmates who haven't reconnected with Jefferson recently?

"We care about you and genuinely want to know how you are doing! Send along a class note with your latest updates — whether it be your personal life, recent publication, promotion, or anything you are proud of."

Is there a Jefferson tradition, memory, or lesson that still stays with you?

"So many lessons from the greatest teachers and clinicians, Dr. Majdan and the Drs. Berg! It's truly an honor and a privilege to work in medicine."

What's one thing Ambassadors might be surprised to learn about you?

"I have a side-business/hobby as a voiceover artist! While I do voiceovers for many kinds of businesses, I particularly enjoy doing healthcare-related work. Last year, I voiced an educational course for nurses on mental health for Nationwide Children's Hospital."

For Dr. Ponder, the Jefferson experience extends far beyond graduation, shaped by the relationships formed during medical school and the network that continues to grow over time.

Throughout her career, those relationships have remained a constant — from the friendships she maintains with classmates to the broader alumni network she encounters wherever she goes.

Her experience reflects the enduring impact of a community built on shared experiences, one that continues to support, connect, and bring Jefferson alumni together across every stage of their journey.