By Meghan McCarthy
When I applied for a communications internship at the Penn Memory Center (PMC), I didn’t expect to be chosen. I was a full-time premedical student at Villanova University juggling chemistry lectures and four-hour labs. My availability was limited, and my writing experience was, frankly, thin.
Yet, I did have a personal connection to dementia and a deep desire to learn.
After my interview with the communications team, I remember ending our call with one overwhelming feeling: this place was different. For such a prestigious institution, I was taken aback by the warmth and passion exuding from each individual. I left with the hope that somehow, some way, they connected with me, too.
Still, if you had told me then that I would not only be selected but stay with the center for the next three and a half years, I wouldn’t have believed you.
This is my love letter to the Penn Memory Center.
The Story that Shaped Me
Among my earliest memories are those with my grandfather, who passed away in 2021. I would sit beside him, completely captivated by stories of his childhood, college years, and taking his four children out for ice cream every Saturday. His beautiful blue eyes would light up with joy, only to be replaced by a flicker of confusion.
It was my first experience with invisible illness and the quiet heartbreak of caregiving.
As his symptoms progressed, so did my curiosity about the brain. To support him, I wanted to understand the biological basis of what he was going through. I began by taking a neuroscience course through Brown University. I was then selected as a Neurology High School Scholar at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. There, under Dr. Brenda Banwell, Division Chief, I shadowed rounds and outpatient visits, and contributed to research on demyelinating disorders. That summer, I fell in love with medicine and left with one goal: to become a neurologist.
I was 17 at the time.
The “longest-standing temp” at PMC
I have always loved art and writing. When I applied to PMC, I saw an opportunity to learn not only from leaders in aging research, but also from families whose stories mirrored my own.
My role started small, highlighting manuscripts authored by PMC researchers. But communications specialist, Cait Kearney welcomed me with open arms and unwavering support. She taught me how to write for a lay audience, offering edits that were as constructive as they were kind. She even designed themed professional development months, which gave me tools I still use today, including accessibility practices and marketing certifications.
With each step, I found myself more immersed in this vibrant, compassionate community. Weekly consensus meetings exposed me to complex clinical cases. I interviewed top scientists in the field. And, most meaningfully, I connected with patients and care partners whose stories stayed with me. When my six months ended, I wasn’t ready to leave (a sentiment true to this day).
Under the guidance of Terrence Casey, director of communications and outreach, I transitioned into a staff writer role. His unwavering support through application cycles, delayed timelines, and team changes meant more to me than words can express.
And so, I quickly became PMC’s “longest-standing temp.”
As my role evolved, so did my creative voice. I began pitching original content series and was granted the freedom to experiment with graphic design and artwork.
With me, the communications team grew. Jake Johnson joined as our communications assistant and podcast producer (I don’t think I will ever adjust to hearing my voice occasionally on The Age of Aging podcast). When Cait left to launch her own business, Dalia Elsaid graced our team with expertise and innovation.
Highlights along the way
Over the years, PMC has been a playground for learning. I wrote on topics as wide-ranging as brain donation, DNA methylation, psychedelics, empathy loss in frontotemporal dementia, AI-powered glucose monitoring systems, and memory-related networks in the medial temporal lobe (MTL). I’ve covered research on genetic variants, supported decision making, caregiving during COVID, and the nuanced experiences of sex and gender minority (SGM) care partners.
It’s been my job to translate cutting-edge research into digestible content. It’s been my privilege to reflect the humanity behind the science.
One surreal moment was interviewing neuroartist Greg Dunn, whose work I’ve admired for nearly a decade. His piece Regeneration became the focus of the article, but the conversation inspired my own integration of art and medicine.
As a woman in medicine, I was deeply moved by my interview with Dr. Virginia Man-Yee Lee after her 2023 Breakthrough Prize win. Rather than focus solely on accolades, we created a piece geared toward inspiring the next generation of female scientists.
Covering the Alzheimer’s Association’s International Conference (AAIC) for the past three summers has been equally thrilling and humbling. Taking the most complex, cutting-edge research in Alzheimer’s and related dementias (ADRD) and making it accessible is no small task—but it’s one I’ve come to cherish.
This role also deepened my commitment to inclusive storytelling. From global aging research in Malawi to brain health initiatives in Latino communities, I’ve highlighted the social and structural determinants that shape brain health. Combining my ethics education and volunteer work with Special Olympics, I was proud to launch the Disability & Dementia series this year.
But the most meaningful moments? The stories shared with me in vulnerability and love.
Beth Segaloff opened up about her grief journey after losing her partner, Ben, who died in active service. Emmy-winning filmmaker Deia Schlosberg reflected on her decision to pursue genetic testing for frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Louise Quattrone honored her late husband’s experience with stone sculpting, an article that was printed for guests at his funeral. I even had the chance to interview both my mom and my best friend about their experiences with dementia.
Helping to preserve a family’s story in writing has become a sacred responsibility.
A New Chapter
Becoming a doctor has always been my dream.
The journey to get there would not be possible without the support of the PMC team. Cait Kearney was one of my three application letter writers. Terrence Casey not only gave me a seat at the table but routinely provided opportunity and resources during this process. Dalia Elsaid has become a mentor and trusted confidante for support.
At PMC, I was challenged, nurtured, and given the creative space to find my voice.
I learned to balance clinical precision with empathy. I developed a deep respect for the human stories behind science. I discovered that it’s not only okay, but essential, to question clinical norms in order to push them forward. I’ve grown into a storyteller who values integrity, equity, and the power of lived experience. And I’ve realized that medicine is inherently creative. Writing about the deeply human realities of dementia helped me become a more present listener, intentional communicator, and compassionate advocate.
I return to where I began: with my grandfather, whose stories I treasure. Years later, I find myself doing the same with care partners, researchers, and patients: preserving their words, honoring their truths.
This year, I was blessed to be accepted to several medical schools. After thoughtful reflection, I’ve chosen to attend Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. As I step into my next chapter, I do so with full heart and immense gratitude.
The Penn Memory Center taught me that science becomes most powerful when rooted in humanity. I will carry that lesson into every room I walk into as a future physician.
Meghan McCarthy, BS, is a staff writer at the Penn Memory Center. She received her undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Biomedical Ethics at Villanova University, where she was the inaugural John T. McLaughlin, MD, Fellow in Biomedical Ethics. Meghan plans to attend Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine as a Dean’s Scholar. Outside of work, you can find her at hot yoga, painting, or at the beach with her puppy, Noah. To view her writing portfolio, please click here.