Molly Erin Grace Ferraioli '03

St. Francis de Sales once said, "Do not wish to be anything but what you are and try to be that perfectly.” Of the many lessons I learned during my four years at Mount de Sales, I think about this one daily. Not only did my high school teachers help me discover my gifts and passions, but, more importantly, they also helped to cultivate the courage I needed to embrace them – to know and be proud of who I am and to try to use my talents to their fullest potential every day.

 

When I graduated from Mount de Sales, I thought I was going to be a physician. I had always wanted to be one, just like my dad. While Mount de Sales certainly kept that dream alive with strong math and science courses (especially Sr. Mary Leonard’s Anatomy class – my favorite!), it also was where I cultivated a love of reading, writing, and critical thinking. I felt confident as I went off to Villanova University planning to blend my interests as an English Major on the Pre-Med track.

 

It wasn’t until four years later during Christmas Break of my senior year at Villanova that I figured out a more appropriate blending of my skills and interests. Realizing that I could have a different but still meaningful impact on the medical field if I pursued a law degree, I quickly applied to the University of Maryland School of Law, which had (and still has) one of the best healthcare law programs in the country. Although I was nervous walking into my first law school class, I soon realized I was right where I needed to be and was perfectly prepared for this next step. Since becoming a lawyer, I have worked to build a healthcare practice that focuses on helping Maryland hospital systems tackle complex regulatory and compliance issues.

 

Mount de Sales also instilled in me a deep desire to give back. In addition to spending as much time as I can helping at our children’s school, I also volunteer many of my nights and weekends teaching skills and life lessons on local basketball courts and lacrosse fields, many of which I learned as a multi-sport high school athlete. I look forward to many more years of using sports as a vehicle to make a positive difference in the community.