Allie Conry: Trailblazer, Researcher, Down-to-Earth Diplomat
From the earliest days of her medical career, Dr. Allie Conry stood out as a trailblazer. As a first-year medical student, for example, she joined the American Medical Association and the South Carolina Medical Association and leapt into leadership roles —Medical Student Section (MSS) Vice Chair, and a Delegate for the AMA House of Delegates, to name an impressive few.
Dr. Conry quickly earned a reputation for preparedness and diplomacy. She meticulously researched agenda items before meetings and savored learning from colleagues who had opposing viewpoints, which enabled her to spearhead policy initiatives that aligned seamlessly with two of her deepest passions: reproductive justice and medical education.
“I am immensely proud of my work with the delegation,” said Dr. Conry. “My first delegation meeting was during my third year as a medical student. There were meetings when I was the only woman in the room, or only one of the few actively participating.”
“I knew what the medical students’ stances were and I knew my policies, so I was able to hold my own,” she added. “I also knew when to pull back as I asked the delegates to support students’ highest priorities.”
Some of those priorities were born from what was happening in the nation at the time.
“The month that Roe vs. Wade was overturned, there was a late resolution written by medical students to establish abortion as health care,” Dr. Conry explained. “Resting in our rights as physicians, we knew we needed to do what is best for our patients under fire. It felt necessary, knowing the Supreme Court docket at the time, to have this stance.”
When Dr. Conry represented University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville at the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) meetings, her passion to promote better medical education for herself and others sprang partly from her own personal experience after her grandfather passed away during the week of the Step 2 exam.
“Right before I started medical school, our Step 1 exam became pass fail. It was a hot topic,” said Dr. Conry. “Historically, if you didn’t do as well on Step One, you could take Step 2 to make up for it. Or if you didn’t do as well on 2, both scores would better reflect students’ knowledge — or ability to take the test.”
Ultimately, Dr. Conry received a “Pass” on the first step and a lower score than she expected on the second, but her interest in improving medical education remains. In retrospect, she believes that the pass/fail option, overall, is “a good change.”
“While working with the delegation — on any issue — I appreciate knowing how to agree from two different perspectives,” said Dr. Conry. “Being willing to hear the other side and then come to an agreement or a better understanding, I learned early, are the keys to working well together.”
Dr. Conry is quick to share appreciation for delegates who mentored her, as well as women with the SCMA.
“I cannot speak highly enough about all the all-woman SCMA staff. By example, they help me understand the value of being powerful and kind — how to be firm without coming across to firmly,” said Dr. Conry. “[Chief Executive Officer, Chief Legal Officer] Richele Taylor and [Vice President of Community Engagement] Rebecca Brannon come to mind; I lean on them a lot.”
Whether leading or relaxing, Dr. Conry is the perfect blend of polished and quirky, well-prepared and spontaneous, firm and diplomatic.
To unwind from her demanding schedule, she enjoys spending time with her friends and immersing herself in the camaraderie of volleyball, where she shines as an outside hitter. For a bit, Dr. Conry chronicled her educational journey in Residency Diaries on TikTok.
A self-proclaimed “charcuterie girl,” she never says no to a good spread of cheese and crackers. On the night of her interview, she casually savored an apple and goat cheese salad, all while preparing for her next fantasy football league picks with fellow medical residents.
Music also fuels her, particularly the upbeat rhythms of Taylor Swift and T-Pain, with the latter’s hits being her go-to for pre-exam motivation throughout medical school and beyond.
Today, Dr. Conry is navigating her first year as an OB-GYN resident at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. She began her residency with a rotation in minimally invasive gynecological surgery, followed by gynecological oncology.
“As a doctor, there are days that are not fun, especially when you are walking people through their hardest days of life,” she said. “It is hard, but at the same time is can also be beautiful.”
Beyond the rotations, Dr. Conry still thrives in leadership roles. She is part of a team of residents developing advocacy curriculum.
“I bring my experience with legislative affairs and organizational medicine to the table,” she said. “That is the part of the curriculum that I will help cultivate. I want to inspire and educate others to get involved.”
Trailblazer, researcher, down-to-earth diplomat – these are the laurels that Dr. Conry has accrued since she launched her medical career. They are also the qualities that ensure that she will remain a trusted voice in shaping the future of medicine.
AT-A-GLANCE
Dr. Allie Conry
EDUCATION:
University of South Carolina
School of Medicine Greenville
M.D. — May 2024
Clemson University
Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson Honors College
Bachelor of Science — May 2019
First in her family to graduate with a 4-year degree, and the first doctor.
State and Specialty Medical Society Memberships and Affiliations
South Carolina Medical Association
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Current/Prior Membership on AMA Councils/Committees:
MSS — Vice Speaker
MSS Committee on Global a Resolution Task Force
Positions held at the state, region, or national level:
USCSOMG AMA MSS Chapter – Chair
AMA-MSS – Region Delegation Chair
