Music has long been a muse for Fadlullah Ba’th. The son of a jazz singer and music teacher, he started playing the violin at age 2, was accepted into the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras at age 7, began performing professionally four years later, and entered college at age 16. 

“People said my music gave them an outlet from their lives,” says Ba’th, who grew up in Maryland.  “But after a certain point, I wanted to make more of a lasting impact.” 

His interest in the psychology of music, general psychology, and neurology led to earning a master’s degree in clinical psychology and an internship in child and adolescent psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University. 

A mentor took note of Ba’th’s clinical skills and encouraged a career in medicine. 

Ba’th describes being accepted by the University of Minnesota Medical School as one of the happiest moments of his life, but he needed financial support. Receiving the Albert Sullivan Endowed Scholarship and other scholarships helped, as did a concert his family put on to raise funds. 

Now in his second year, Ba’th is considering specializing in surgery with a pediatric focus.