Marika Cartier ’26: Pre-Med All-Star & Future Pediatrician

Marika Cartier ’26 is a Biology major on the pre-med track from Redmond, Washington. Over the last four years at Whitman College, Marika immersed herself in hands-on experiences, research and volunteer opportunities that allowed her to learn directly from healthcare professionals and patients while preparing for a future in pediatric medicine.

Marika’s Whitman Highlights:

• Resident Assistant for Prentiss Hall 
• Whitman Outdoor Program Trips Coordinator and Leader 
• Oboist in the Whitman Orchestra

As President of Whitman’s Pre-Health Society, she helped organize blood drives and networking opportunities with healthcare professionals. She also volunteered with the local SOS free clinic and spent time in the emergency room, intensive care unit and surgical unit at Providence St. Mary Medical Center, gaining valuable experience in patient care.

Marika was awarded two Whitman Internship Grants to explore different sides of medicine through both research and clinical work. At Seattle Children’s Research Institute, she conducted cutting-edge medical research in the Majesky Lab and later presented her findings at the 2025 Murdock Conference and the 2026 Whitman Undergraduate Conference. Her second WIG took her into a clinical setting at Lighthouse Pediatrics, where she experienced the day-to-day life of a pediatrician firsthand.

What’s next? Marika is headed into the next chapter of her healthcare journey by earning her Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) license and working as an EMT while applying to medical school, where she will continue her path toward becoming a general pediatrician.