White Coat Profiles – Lexie Todd

The White Coat Ceremony marks the first time a medical student will don his or her white coat, the defining symbol of a physician. The coat bestows a great honor on each student, and with it comes a responsibility to uphold the trust of every patient they will encounter. The Class of 2030 will receive their white coats on July 17 during a ceremony that begins at 3:30 p.m. in the North Ballroom of the Phoenix Convention Center.

Meet Lexie Todd

Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Lexie Todd moved to Arizona and attended North Arizona University for her undergraduate studies, graduating with her degree majoring in biology.

Todd’s general interest in medicine started as a love of science — specifically biology. She grew up loving to learn about and interacting with the natural world. As she’s grown older, it has remained one of her primary interests.

For Todd, the pathway to medical school required a village. She credits her family, partner, professors, patients and her workplace as her biggest supporters. When she was accepted into medical school, it was a large celebration for her circle.

Path toward Medicine

What was the spark that led you to become a physician?

I played with the idea of becoming a physician since I was a kid. I studied pre-veterinary medicine for my first couple of years in college. I had always loved science and medicine and being able to contribute to another living being's wellness. Having my work be meaningful really resonated with me. 

However, there was something missing for me in veterinary medicine that made it not totally fulfilling and only made me question my decision more over time. The real spark was when I first got sick. I felt less than human — bone tired, depressed, in pain — and worse yet, not taken seriously. 

After years, I was eventually diagnosed and it changed my life for the better. My health journey, plus the experiences I had working with those that deal with chronic physical or mental illness, those that are low-income, or elderly, or otherwise disadvantaged, really opened my eyes. 

Unfortunately, these subsets of the population that need compassionate care the most can fall to the wayside. And for these people, it would be easy for someone to fall into a vicious cycle of fear and disillusionment. As someone who almost fell into it myself, it lit a fire in me to not let that happen to someone else. 

Did you do any volunteering in health fields prior to medical school?

Since I was 19, I've worked in pain management clinics, a neurology clinic, and a holistic primary care and sports medicine clinic, primarily as a medical assistant. I've also volunteered for a crisis hotline, helping those in mental health crises, as well as for hospice organizations, providing companionship for patients nearing the end of their life. 

The College of Medicine – Phoenix

Why did you choose the College of Medicine – Phoenix?

First off, I knew I wanted to stay in Arizona. I love the natural beauty and the people here. Arizona's communities are so unique, with large urban and rural populations, as well as the high indigenous population. 

Furthermore, I chose the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix because it seemed like the best place to stoke the fire I have to use my voice and future expertise for others. 

What excites you most about beginning medical school?

Mainly, I'm so excited to finally be doing what I'm meant to be doing! After many years, setbacks, struggles and circumstances that I never thought I'd encounter, everything seemed to just fall into place. I couldn't be happier about that.

Significance of the White Coat

What does the white coat mean to you?

To me, the white coat is a symbol of all my hard work to this point realized, the beginning of another era of even harder work and the responsibility that I will carry always for my future patients all in one.