HIGH POINT, N.C., Aug. 25, 2016 – High Point University Junior Catarina DiMaggio pursued her dream of becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon through a summer internship with Columbia Medical Center in New York City.
A native of Madison, New Jersey, DiMaggio is a strategic communication and pre-med major with a passion for medicine. Time spent in the cardiothoracic surgery research lab, a facility created by Dr. Oz and his fellow colleagues, provided DiMaggio with opportunities to observe open heart surgeries and develop her own research topic.
“My internship was incredible,” says DiMaggio. “I was able to take away a tremendous amount of life lessons and knowledge, along with exposure to real-life situations.” 
DiMaggio was one of six interns selected for the program and proudly represented High Point University amid students from Columbia University, Dartmouth College, University of Pennsylvania, New York University, Tufts University, Harvard University and Fordham University.
“High Point University has taught me to be determined, confident and hardworking,” says DiMaggio. “A mentor that continues to guide me is Dr. Sapp. She has given me the knowledge, encouragement and support that I have needed here at HPU.”
DiMaggio says that she plans to achieve her dream of becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon through working hard, learning from others and believing in herself.
“I am still very proud that I was able to be extraordinary and represent HPU,” DiMaggio says.