Maisie Laud, M.D.’26, M.S.’21, is part of the graduating Larner College of Medicine class of 2026.
In the following blog post, the Office of Medical Communications interviewed Maisie who was selected as this year’s student speaker for the Commencement ceremony.
Maisie Laud, M.D.’26, M.S.’21 giving her address to her fellow students. (Photo: Andy Duback) 
Maisie Laud, M.D.’26, M.S.’21 at Commencement on May 17, 2026. (Photo: Andy Duback) 
Maisie Laud, M.D.’26, M.S.’21 at Match Day 2026. (Photo: Andy Duback) 
Maisie Laud, M.D.’26, M.S.’21 teaching students in the Anatomy Lab. (Photo: Office of Medical Communications) 
Maisie Laud, M.D.’26, M.S.’21 with her family at Commencement 2026. (Photo: Office of Medical Communications) 
Maisie Laud, M.D.’26, M.S.’21 at Match Day 2026. (Photo: Andy Duback) 
Maisie Laud, M.D.’26, M.S.’21 in a simulation lab at Larner College of Medicine. (Photo: Office of Medical Communications) 
Maisie Laud, M.D.’26, M.S.’21 (right) at Commencement 2026. (Photo: Office of Medical Communications)
“I came to medical school feeling like I had two competing identities: the professional and the comedian. Instead of asking me to choose between them, this community showed me how to be both authentically.”
Hometown: Originally Morristown, New Jersey, but her family moved to Vermont in 2013.
Where will you be doing your residency?: NYU Grossman School of Medicine
In what specialty?: General Surgery
Why did you choose the Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine?
I remember listening to Mitch Wertlieb on VPR when the first COVID-19 vaccines were rolling out (2021 or so) and feeling proud that Vermont was one of the states leading the charge in getting their population vaccinated. Vermonters really look out for each other. It felt only natural to pursue my medical education in a state that I already called home. This state is small but mighty and I’ve really loved my time here.
Tell us more about your path to medical school?
I majored in theatre at Boston College. I had always wanted to be a physician but never thought I was smart enough. I was really good at making people laugh so, I pursued a degree in theatre, which was a wonderful experience and interacted me to my love of comedy. The dream of pursuing medicine never really let up though, so when I was 24, I moved home to Vermont to pursue a post-baccalaureate program to get some pre-med requisites in order to course correct my path toward medicine. I ended up pursuing a Master of Science at UVM prior to applying to medical school. The rest, as they say, is history!
What activities were you involved with as a student?
I was a leader for several student interest groups., including Med Mentors*, Vascular Surgery, and Cardiology. Beyond student interest groups, I taught cycling at the UVM Rec. Center throughout all four years of medical school. I also continued to write and perform comedy at the local comedy club.
*Med Mentors provides mentorship to undergraduate and graduate students hoping to pursue medicine, helping them write their personal statement essays, tutoring them on MCAT topics, and also works to connect new M1s with M2s and M3s so that they could have someone to look up to who was more seasoned in their medical school journey.
What is one thing that surprised you about Larner?
I came to medical school feeling like I had two competing identities: the professional and the comedian. Instead of asking me to choose between them, this community showed me how to be both authentically. Instead of Peter Parker vs. Spiderman, it was a true unification of all the things that make me, well, me. Even though comedy will certainly be taking a back seat in my life as I begin residency, I do think I’ll be a better physician because Larner supported me through both my medial education and my comedy.
What is one thing every medical student should do during their time at Larner?
Have a maple creme from Seb’s in South Hero.
Who inspired you to enter medicine? Or who was your favorite mentor here and why?
My silly, somewhat facetious answer is JD and Turk from Scrubs. My real, serious answer is Dr. Paula Tracy and the late Dr. Gary Mawe. I worked with these professors while pursuing my master’s degree at UVM. They were incredible teachers both in the classroom and beyond–true pinnacles of the word mentor. Not only did their teaching style really resonate with me, but they were friendly faces who were always around for a cup of coffee. Coffee chats started with clarifying biochemistry or anatomy questions and then, over time, naturally evolved into more meaningful discussions about life. I really felt as though they were playing for my team and set me up for success.
What did it mean to you to be selected as this year’s student Commencement Speaker?
I’m truly touched. What I wrote comes from the heart. It is gratifying and a real honor to know that those who read my submission recognized that the message I have for our class is worth saying out loud.
Any final words of wisdom for incoming students?
Medical school is filled with ups and downs. Find your people. Study hard. Eat well. Take care of yourself. Make time for the things that bring you joy.
