This DO student started med school at age 50. Now, she’s sharing her journey on Instagram and TikTok

For one third-year osteopathic medical student, her journey to becoming a physician has been anything but conventional—and that’s exactly what makes it so inspiring. At 50 years old, Jen Reinmuth Birch, OMS III, enrolled in osteopathic medical school at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (PNWU-COM) to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a physician.

Now, Reinmuth Birch balances life as a medical student, mother, grandmother, wife and social media “med-fluencer,” all while advocating for underserved communities and physician mental health. Her story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to follow your passions—and that sometimes, the most nontraditional paths lead to the most meaningful destinations.

Following is an edited Q&A.

Tell us about your background and how you decided to pursue osteopathic medicine.

When I was a little girl, I always said I wanted to be a doctor. I used to draw pictures of me in a white coat, usually with a tutu because I also wanted to be a ballerina. Growing up in the ’80s, women were usually expected to take care of the home, but those expectations didn’t necessarily translate into real-life society.

When I enrolled in my undergraduate program, I chose what some people would refer to as a “soft major,” and I graduated not knowing what I wanted to do with my life. I got married, had twin boys, Jack and Mike, and later got divorced. Mike is on the autism spectrum, so when I suddenly found myself as a single mom in a one-bedroom apartment with 5-year-old twins depending on me, I didn’t have a clue. I was working a few different jobs just trying to figure out how I was going to save up enough money to go back to school to get a degree I could use to support my kiddos.

Eventually, I graduated from Portland State University (PSU) with my master’s in special education in 2012. I started working at the Autism Training and Research Center at PSU. When they closed the department, I worked for the Northwest Autism Foundation and served on the board of directors for the Autism Society of Oregon.

I remarried, and we moved to the Washington coast, where I started working more with physicians, who encouraged me to go into medicine myself. I thought it was too late, but after my sons went off to college, my husband was very encouraging. The next thing I knew, I was taking prerequisites and the MCAT.

I went into osteopathic medicine because before medical school, I studied naturopathic medicine, and I have been fascinated by acupuncture and Eastern medicine. These fields complement osteopathic medicine, and I am reminded of the intertwining of the body, mind and spirit. The core principles of osteopathic medicine resonated with me, and therefore I only applied to osteopathic medical schools.

How do you balance being a mother, grandmother, wife and medical student all at once?

I’ve embraced the fact that there’s always going to be something I’m going to be giving up, which is tough because we want to feel like we can balance it all. Medical students often feel guilty when they are studying because they aren’t spending time with their families. Then, when they are with their families, they feel guilty for not studying.

Guilt and shame are learned emotions; you can unlearn them. Do not feel guilty about being where you need to be. If you’re with your family, school can wait. If you’re at school, your family can wait.

When people ask about my work-life balance, I’m like, “I don’t have one, because it doesn’t exist.” There are going to be times when you must accept the fact that you can’t do it all.

You have a large following on TikTok and Instagram. What about social media interests you, and how does one become a med-fluencer?

It was honestly a complete fluke. I had an Instagram that featured mostly pictures of what we grew on our farm, and I had around 300 followers. My friends suggested I start an Instagram account about going to med school at an older age, almost like a diary. I started doing that for my friends, and they later encouraged me to start a TikTok. I thought I was too old for that, but I made one video and posted it on both accounts. One week later, my son’s friend texted me to tell me I had gained 14,000 followers.

I started to make more videos. I got messages from people asking about my age and medical school. People 35 or older would be blown away by the fact that the path I am on is an option for them too. They are realizing that they can pursue their dreams. Social media has almost become a second job. I’ve considered quitting, but then I’ll get a message from someone telling me that a post inspired them to leave their abusive husband, go back to school or even get help for their child with autism. I hope my followers, whoever they are, know that I read every single comment.

What are some of the stereotypes and barriers you faced going back to school compared to your younger counterparts?

I honestly think I had fewer obstacles as an older student. I was not already $200,000 in debt from an undergraduate program. I wasn’t a brand-new mom with a baby on my hip. I wasn’t trying to do all this on my own. I had an amazing life partner who supported me, and I had already experienced a lot of the barriers that younger applicants face.

One major concern that many people have about going to medical school is the time commitment. They worry that they’ll have no life, that they won’t be able to travel or have a family. As an older medical student, I’ve already had a rich, full life. I’ve traveled the world. I’ve had a family and raised my kids, and because I married a man who’s a little bit older and has older kids, I have grandkids now. I’m not missing anything. This is just my next adventure.

What advice would you give to aspiring med students who are older than the average student or on another nontraditional path?

Don’t be intimidated and know that you are not alone. “Nontraditional” has referred to anyone who didn’t go straight into med school after college graduation, but people are moving away from that path. The concept of the gap year has become the norm rather than the exception. Some people are taking gap years or gap decades, like I did. There’s no set timeline.

In this day and age, many people are working, traveling, enrolling in graduate school or just figuring out what they want to do with their life before they go to medical school. To be honest, those are the people whom med schools love to see because they have real-world experience.

What are your goals after medical school? How will osteopathic medicine help you achieve those goals?

I am interested in pursuing family medicine, specifically rural medicine. I live in a small town, and that’s where I feel happy and safe. Those are my people. I’ve done most of my rotations in a rural, underserved area in Astoria, Oregon, and I love it.

Osteopathic medicine allows me to integrate different aspects of all types of medicine to figure out what’s affecting the body, mind or spirit. I also love using osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) in my rotations, especially on the family medicine rotations. A preceptor even started to call me “magic hands.”

What is something you are very passionate about?

I’ve been working with FIGS on the reinstatement of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act. I’m very passionate about starting conversations about mental health and advocating for better access to mental health. Physicians need to feel safe to pursue the help that they need. We are all human; we all have some issues, and being a doctor does not make us superhuman.

I am also very passionate about support services for individuals with autism, especially those over 18. We have a real problem regarding the whole “aged out” mentality for health services. Most places in America are pretty darn good about supporting children up through high school, but afterward, individuals and their families must figure out what to do and then try to navigate the nightmare that is Social Security. Trying to find services and support for adults with autism can be a huge struggle. I encourage readers to visit their state’s autism society website for more information and resources.

What are some fun facts about you?

I am currently living in a school bus while I complete my rotations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, my husband and I converted an old school bus into a tiny home and drove across the country with our boys, and even homeschooled them from Portland, Oregon, to Portland, Maine, and back. We are planning to take the bus across the country next year for my away rotations.

What has been the hardest part about medical school?

The hardest part about medical school is not medical school. The hardest part is that real life happens while you are in medical school. Your dog will run away, your car will break down, your girlfriend will break up with you, your parents will get sick. Things will happen. I’ve seen people go through loss, divorce and illness.

During my first year of medical school, I had a bilateral mastectomy. The year after that, my husband had a heart attack. This year, we’re helping my mom deal with some significant health issues. Those things are going to happen, regardless of your age or where you are in life. Real life doesn’t care if you’re in medical school. You must make sure you have a strong support system both at home and at school. Compartmentalizing life and school also helps a lot. I’m thankful that my school has been very supportive through everything.

Related reading:

Is it ever too late to attend medical school? A nontraditional student shares her thoughts

Overcoming obstacles as a medical student: A journey of resilience