Both said that growing up, and watching their mom, Karen, who is a physical therapist in the Jamestown Public Schools District, having a distinct impact on students also made it easy for them to choose a profession in the medical field.

“I was drawn to the medical field after seeing my mother’s passion for being a physical therapist,” Laurel said. “She displayed a love for her career and for helping others. This inspired me to seek out volunteering opportunities at UPMC Chautauqua. From this experience I realized my passion for patient care and medicine. I then went on to pursue a pre-med track at SUNY Fredonia and was able to do internships through the health department and the Mental Health Association locally. These experiences inspired me to go into psychiatry.”

Hannah had a similar response.

“My mom was a physical therapist who worked with children with disabilities and special needs, and watching the impact she had on their lives was what first drew me to healthcare,” Hannah said. “I remember one child my mom helped who was eventually able to get a job at Home Depot, and he ran up to thank her for helping him reach that point. Seeing how meaningful it was to help someone gain independence and confidence really stayed with me. As I went through my own training, I realized I loved caring for people of all ages and backgrounds and being able to serve my community in a meaningful way through medicine.”

Laurel Finson

Laurel, a 2016 SWCS grad, and Hannah, a 2018 SWCS grad, recently graduated from Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Science, University at Buffalo with medical doctorate degrees.

Laurel received her Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY Fredonia in the field of biology with a minor in chemistry and public health. She earned her medical doctor degree in May 2025 and is currently working on her four year Residency at Tower Health Hospital in Reading, Pa.

Hannah graduated in May , Summa Cum Laude and will begin her three-year residency at Bon Secours Saint Francis Medical Center in Midlothian, Va., near Richmond. Her specialty is in family practice and is hopeful to return to western New York to continue her career as a physician. Karen said it is Hannah’s desire to work with many aspects of patient care and build relationships with her patients, opening doors that otherwise would have been closed for patients who face social and economic barriers in receiving optimal medical care. Hannah received her Bachelor of Science degree from Liberty University, majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology.

Karen said it was a financial commitment having two children in medical school, wanting them to avoid excessive debt yet wanting them to pursue their dreams and desire to help others in life changing ways.

“The Community Foundation was a major blessing to each of the girls for eight years, rewarding them with multiple scholarships that they were deeply grateful for. Dr. Lillian Ney and Dr. Robert Ungerer were very supportive and enthusiastic towards the girls wanting to pursue medicine,” Karen said.

Karen added that wellness has always been a part of the sisters’ lives, by eating healthy, staying on a sleep schedule, limiting TV time/cell phone use, and enjoying family walks.

“The girls always have worshipped and participated in church and Sunday school, to honor God, being thankful for all their blessings and not to begrudge the small percentage of things they don’t have,” Karen noted.

Karen added that growing up, the girls had many interests outside school and in the community especially related to music. They received support, rides and encouragement from their parents and were instructed on sticking with it, practicing and not giving up even when having to dedicate time and effort. The girls’ commitment to their musical endeavors also played a large role in learning skills that would benefit and support their commitment to the medical profession.

“Laurel played the flute and piccolo in the school band, Jamestown Municipal Band and the church worship team for years. Hannah played the trumpet for band and church as well. She studied the concert harp with Ann Harris of Lakewood, from elementary school through high school. At Liberty University, Hannah also continued pursuing the concert harp and performed her harp at many recitals and events which required hours of practice and dedication,” Karen said.

Their mother also said the girls were in school chorus and church choir as well as in The Junior Guilders at Lucille Ball Little Theatre with the late Helen Merrill and Lucy Miller. They participated in The Lakewood Area Junior Miss Program/CASP, high school musicals and multiple dance classes through Tiffany Wakely, Linda Nelson’s Dance Studio and Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet (CRYB).

Living on a farm, Karen added, the sisters learned a lot about life and death.

“Keeping animals healthy, providing fresh water and food everyday whether it is convenient or not, is a significant commitment. Even if you are not feeling well, you still need to go out and care for the animals. It takes a lot of work, time and commitment. Each child had a chore to do in the morning and in the afternoon at the Finson Farm. Caring for animals with essential care/responsibility was the basis of the necessary commitment and perseverance needed in becoming physicians,” Karen noted.

Being a professional also comes with highs and lows of the profession. Both Laurel and Hannah have their favorite experiences in their professional lives.

“After graduating from Jacobs School of Medicine last year, I matched into psychiatry at Tower Health Reading Hospital,” Laurel said. “I’ve realized my favorite part of the job is getting to see my patients get better and eventually be discharged back home to their families. It’s inspiring to see these recoveries happen and being there for people at their lowest. I’ve enjoyed getting to know the people in the community and developing relationships with my co-residents. I’m grateful that I have the opportunity to pursue a career that I love.”

Hannah added that “My favorite part is building relationships with patients and meeting them where they are. During my pediatrics rotation, I worked with a young boy who had experienced abuse and was understandably very guarded and angry during the visit. I focused on using a trauma-informed approach and simply treating him with patience and kindness. By the end of the appointment, his entire demeanor had changed, and he asked me for a hug before he left.”

But with the highs, come the lows.

“One of the hardest parts is the emotional transition between patients,” Hannah noted. You may spend one appointment helping a family through one of the worst moments of their lives and then minutes later walk into another room where someone is celebrating joyful news. It is an honor to be present with patients through both their joys and hardships, but those transitions can be emotionally difficult, especially when there is little time to process what you have just experienced.”

Karen added that working as a team, being a team member, and doing one’s part to help the Finson Farm operate smoothly was important.

“The sisters’ home life was an essential influence on them wanting to become physicians and making a better tomorrow.”