Opinion: ‘They all think I’m insane’: What it’s like to start medical residency at 72

PodcastFirst Opinion Podcast ‘They all think I’m insane’: What it’s like to start medical residency at 72 An interview with a septuagenarian who just graduated from medical school Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Torie BoschJune 10, 2026 Editor, First Opinion Torie Bosch[email protected]Torie Bosch is the First Opinion editor at STAT. Every time Dawn Zuidgeest-Craft intended to apply to medical school, life got in the way. But after 45 years as a neonatal nurse practitioner, she finally did it, beginning medical school at the age of 69 in 2022. The pivotal moment came after her husband had a health scare. As she told me on this episode of the “First Opinion Podcast,” she sat him down and said, “‘Well, honey, you know, this is crazy. You literally almost died. And life is too dang short. What’s on your bucket list?’ And he said, ‘I really want to travel the world.’ And I said, ‘Well, I still want to go to med school.’”Advertisement She hadn’t originally intended to practice after graduating, but soon, a week before she turns 73, she’ll begin her residency in family medicine. “I know what I’m getting into. I think a lot of young wannabes don’t have a clue, but I have a big clue,” she said. Starting residency at her age comes with some surprising challenges: For instance, how does her employer handle a resident who is also on Medicare? We discussed her journey to and through medical school, the public response to her story, and how long she hopes to practice. You can also read the First Opinion essay she wrote on her experience.Advertisement Be sure to sign up for the weekly “First Opinion Podcast” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Get alerts about each new episode by signing up for the “First Opinion Podcast” newsletter. And don’t forget to sign up for the First Opinion newsletter, delivered every Sunday. education, Physicians Submit a correction requestReprints Torie Bosch Editor, First Opinion Torie Bosch is the First Opinion editor at STAT. Newsletter Weekly alerts when a new episode drops from STAT’s First Opinion podcast Recommended First Opinion June 10, 2026 Even in abortion-protecting states, teens face unnecessary barriers to care First Opinion June 9, 2026 Ending animal testing could set back xenotransplantation just as the field is poised for a breakthrough Advertisement First Opinion June 9, 2026 Why STAT is sticking with ‘health care’ as two words First Opinion June 8, 2026 American horses are obese, too Opinions+ June 8, 2026 $2 million gene therapy cures require a financing model Subscriber Picks