Several factors seemed natural magnets to attract Ryan Kelly to the Wayne State University School of Medicine.

Mr. Kelly is a native of Detroit, and his father, who practices internal medicine in Lansing, is a 1975 graduate of the School of Medicine.

However, the 28-year-old did not immediately feel medicine’s call.

The third-year medical student majored in anthropology during his undergraduate work at the University of Michigan. “I wasn’t sure I wanted to go into medicine. I just knew that I wanted to do something that helped people. I always wanted to work with people,” Mr. Kelly explained.

That need to work with people – coupled with an interest in travel – led the School of Medicine Class of 2009 president to Taiwan, where he taught English to kindergarteners for a year. The work schedule, he admitted, was a grueling 60 hours a week teaching in three different schools. The job did not allow much time for travel or the absorption of a different culture, but he did visit Cambodia to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

“Working with those children is when I realized I wanted to go into medicine and specialize in pediatrics,” said Mr. Kelly, 28, who lives in Detroit while attending the SOM. He received his master’s degree in basic medical science from Wayne State University.

As a member of the campus Aesculapians, Mr. Ryan takes part with other students in area volunteer activities, such as working at the Gleaners Food Bank and participating with Habitat for Humanity in building affordable housing for families. He also serves as captain of the Blueberry Pie Club intramural soccer team. The name, he explained, “is a long story” derived from his family’s penchant for blueberry pie and a Thanksgiving tradition. The team captured first place in its first and third years, and second place its second year.

“I love Detroit and I’d someday like to practice medicine and teach at a place like WSU,” he said. “I can see myself working here. I selected Wayne because of my Dad and my feelings for Detroit. Had other schools accepted me, I still would have chosen Wayne. Detroit needs good primary care physicians dedicated to the city.”