Beauty meets brains: A physician’s journey competing in the Miss USA pageant system

If you had told me during residency I’d be competing for a Miss USA state pageant as an attending physician, I’d tell you there’s no way. My pageant heels were buried in the back of my closet, my crown was on my highest shelf and my evening gown was stored behind my interview suits and white coats. After aging out of the Miss America system during medical school, I was ready to leave my sash and stilettos behind to fully embrace the scrubs and stethoscopes of my future.

Fast forward to the fall of 2023. I’m in my third year as an attending physician, working in my dream job as an assistant professor and associate program director. I’m taking advantage of leadership courses, honing my teaching skills and mentoring medical students and residents.

But I felt like I was missing my connection to the community outside of the hospital. I remember coming across an article about how the eligibility requirements for Miss USA/Miss Universe had expanded with the lifting of age restrictions. This was the only other pageant system I had dreamed of competing in but never had a chance to due to my medical training obligations. Until now.

As a pageant titleholder, you’re taught to embody the four points of the crown: Service, Style, Success and Scholarship. My time competing in pageants not only helped me pay for my medical school tuition but also shaped me into who I am today.

People have asked me, “Why pageants?” but the real question is, “Why not pageants?” Pageants are a chance for you to challenge yourself to be the best version of yourself—both inside and out.

Pageants provide so many opportunities for professional and personal development, including the chance to refine your public speaking and networking skills, participate in community service and build your confidence.

They empower you to use your voice for positive change and inspire others while advocating for causes you are passionate about.

Reflecting on this made me realize competing in the Miss USA system now would fill in the gaps of what I’d been missing. So after 10 years of pageant retirement, I pulled my six-inch Jonathan Kayne shoes out, ready to apply all my knowledge of anatomy and gait to perfect my onstage walk.

Creating positive community change

I was soon crowned Miss Charlottesville (Virginia) USA, after which I spent every free weekend training, from practicing interview skills to wardrobe preparation, volunteering and building my platform: Healthy Habits, encouraging health literacy, accuracy and advocacy.

This led me to publish my first children’s book as well: An Apple A Day, Unraveling Online Myths For Kids, which teaches readers about preventing the spread of misinformation, especially medical misinformation. My story was featured on several news outlets, including one of my appearances for a book reading at a local elementary school.

A few weeks later, I found myself outside, cheering from the sidelines in my crown and sash and hearing a woman next to me say, “Thank you for showing up here today, Doctor.” I had just finished giving my opening ceremony speech for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. I talked about my role as Virginia’s only cancer rehabilitation physician, about my osteopathic approach to caring for patients as a whole and my Miss Virginia USA platform Healthy Habits. The woman speaking to me smiled and I quickly realized she was one of my patients. She, like many others present, was a cancer survivor.

She told me how my medical management helped improve her pain and function, allowing her to attend that day’s event. It was inspiring to hear her story outside of a clinic appointment and see her return to a higher quality of life. They say, “Virginia is for Lovers,” and never have I felt that love more than through my time serving this beautiful state as its one and only cancer rehabilitation physician and as Miss Charlottesville USA.

Miss Virginia USA

The Miss Virginia USA state pageant was held in June 2024, where I took the stage as one of the first newly eligible contestants and an ambassador for women of all ages. I got to showcase how beauty and brains can coexist throughout our lives and how we all deserve a seat at the table to champion gender equity, equality and inclusion.

I’ve received countless messages from women all over the world because of my story. Some were inspired by my posts to compete in their state’s pageants, others are now pursuing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines and of those, many are applying to medical school. All of them are pursuing their dreams.

While I didn’t win the crown, I did win the Miss Virginia USA Social Media and Online Advocacy Award. It is the first award I have ever received that recognizes all the time and energy I have put into content creation. After years of building my brand, this award meant more to me than a crown and sash ever could.

My journey was also featured in the Queen Beauty Network’s (QBN) “Limitless” documentary, which explores the historical context, recent rule changes and current spirit of the Miss USA pageant.

Following the Miss Virginia USA pageant, I was invited to deliver the white coat ceremony keynote address at my alma mater medical school, the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. I could not have asked for a better way to prepare for not only giving this speech but also coating all 178 first-year medical students on stage (in heels no less!) than my time training and competing for Miss Virginia USA.

Being a doctor and a pageant queen is about more than just wearing a crown, sash and stethoscope. It is about being a role model, a changemaker and a leader who advocates in a way that encourages others to join in. As my patient said to me, it is about showing up—for yourself, your loved ones and your community.

If you or someone you know is interested in competing, start by looking up what pageants are happening in your area and the eligibility requirements. Make sure the system aligns with your values and know your “why” for entering before you start applying. Identify a platform or service project you want to champion. As a former titleholder who competed during medical school and while working full-time as an attending physician, know that it is possible to balance your passions with your purpose. You just have to set your mind to it and keep your head held high (after all, you can’t support a crown looking down).

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