Andrea Howard, a second-year student at The University of New Mexico School of Medicine and a former Olympian,
embodies the pursuit of excellence in the classroom, on the softball field, and now on the field at Isotopes Park.
On Friday, August 23rd, Andrea Howard's team clinched the MLB Home Run Derby X (HRDX) championship trophy at Isotopes Park, adding another remarkable achievement to her already impressive list. The team, composed of Howard, former Washington Nationals star Ryan Zimmerman, and current UNM Lobo sophomore baseball player Gene Trujillo, showcased incredible talent and teamwork. Howard was the star of the event, scoring 10 points in the semifinals and an astounding 16 points in the finals, outscoring her teammate Zimmerman.
Having been born and raised in New Mexico, Howard's story is deeply rooted in her home state.
"I got my Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology at UNM, with a minor in Chemistry,” she said. “I played softball at UNM from 2017 through 2022, and I just really liked the idea of being able to play in front of my family and in my hometown. So that’s why I chose New Mexico."
Her time at UNM has been marked by extraordinary experiences, including representing Italy, where she has dual citizenship, in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 as a member of the Italian Olympic softball team.
My coach at the time was extremely supportive of me playing softball here at UNM and playing during the summers in Italy for the Italian Olympic team. So, it was kind of like a best of both worlds situation.
Howard’s Olympic experience, though shaped by the unique challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, was very valuable for her.
"I think just being able to meet other athletes in the Olympic Village was a super cool opportunity," she said. "It was a COVID Olympics, so it was kind of different, but just being able to meet them and talk to them about their sports and their personalities and backgrounds was an incredible opportunity."
Even before her Olympic dreams took flight, Howard had her sights set on another goal—medical school. "I knew I wanted to go to medical school when I was very young," she said. "So when I was deciding where I wanted to play softball, I knew UNM had a really good medical school. So that definitely played a factor in my decision to play softball here."
Howard’s dual pursuit of athletics and academics is a testament to her dedication.
"Being a student-athlete is definitely a demanding job," she said. "It’s basically a full-time job because you have practice, and you have games, and you have all these things on top of school and academics. But it really just teaches you time management, and teaches you how to work with others effectively, and effective communication. So, if you can nail those three down, you’ll be a successful student."
Transitioning from the athletic field to the medical field brought its own set of challenges.
"The biggest challenge I had while transitioning from sports to medical school was just the lack of physical activity," she said. "In athletics, you are active all the time, and you’re trying to put in the most for your sport, but for academics, it’s a little bit different because you’re using all the brainpower. For me, it was definitely a transition of trying to adjust to that and making sure that I stayed active and stayed that same level of fit while I was studying.”
However, Howard’s experiences as an athlete have equipped her well for the rigors of medical school.
"I absolutely think that the dreams I have achieved so far have made a big difference in terms of studying for medical school and being successful," she said. "I’ve learned how to communicate well, I’ve learned how to manage time well, and I’ve learned to believe in myself that I can achieve big things like medical school."
The UNM School of Medicine's Learning Communities program has played a crucial role in shaping Andrea Howard's journey, and she acknowledges the impact of those who have guided her along the way.
"One of the biggest mentors I’ve had is Dr. Cameron Crandall, my Learning Community mentor," she said. "He has directed me in such a positive manner and connected me with so many different physicians and personnel in all fields. I’m very grateful for him and his direction."
Howard hopes to pay it forward to future students.
"Part of my goals as a physician is to be a researcher and a scientist," she said. "I really enjoyed my time in research, so I’m hoping that can continue and I can mentor students the way I was mentored."
As Howard reflects on her journey so far, her advice to aspiring student-athletes and future medical professionals is clear is to "take that first step, find a good support system, and just make sure that you continue believing in yourself and you put in all the work that you possibly can to achieve all the dreams you have.”
Though her days of competing on the international stage may be behind her, Howard remains dedicated to her future in medicine and research, setting an example for future student-athletes with big dreams.