Mackenzie Feeney

Biology major and Pre-Med student Mackenzie Feeney is captain of Russell Sage College’s women’s cross-country and track and field teams (a former rookie of the year, she also holds the school record in the 1,500-meter run).

On top of that, she’s a resident assistant, a teaching assistant for Anatomy and Physiology, a patient care associate at Albany Medical Center, a volunteer at Ronald McDonald House of the Capital Region, and president of Sage’s Athenian Honor Society.

She acknowledges it is a lot — but because she’s at Russell Sage, she’s finding her responsibilities come with a lot of rewards.

To begin with, she’s made great friends at Sage, who she calls “a constant support system, running buddies, and people to laugh and have a good time with.”

Athletics helped her build leadership and communication skills. Plus, balancing classes, assignments, practices, and meets definitely taught her time management.

“I feel like it has prepared me for the time crunch that will be medical school,” she said, adding appreciation for her coaches. “Part of the reason I still enjoy running so much is because they have made it enjoyable for me.”

Most critical as she prepares for medical school have been her professors, who she describes as “dedicated to student success.”

The aspiring pediatrician knew pre-med would be challenging. “The small campus and the ability to develop relationships with your professors definitely attracted me to Sage,” she said. “Having closer relationships with my professors helps me get more support throughout this process.”

Feeney’s favorite toy as a kid was a play medical kit; her mom is a nurse. “I was surrounded by medicine, so I think on some level I have always known I wanted to be involved in medicine.”

Sage helped her get one step closer to that goal. She’s finalizing her medical school applications now and hopes to begin in fall 2024.

“I have loved a lot of my time here at Sage, and I have made a lot of good memories,” she said, and with a semester still to go, added “I am sure there is more to come!”