Mother of Meteorologist to Start Residency at 72

Why this is here: Paula Zuidgeest-Craft will become the oldest graduate of her medical school at age 72, starting her residency the same month as her birthday.

Paula Zuidgeest-Craft, mother of ABC News’ Ginger Zee, will begin a three-year family medicine residency at Trinity Health Medical Center in Michigan this July. She earned a nursing degree from Michigan State University and worked in neonatal intensive care for years while taking premedical classes. Zuidgeest-Craft initially planned to attend medical school in her 40s but postponed it after divorce, remarriage, and having two more children.

A near-fatal brain hemorrhage suffered by her husband in 2020 prompted her to revisit long-held goals. She enrolled at St.

James School of Medicine, which does not require the MCAT, and funded her education by using retirement funds. Despite an age gap with her peers, Zuidgeest-Craft connected with classmates through shared activities and tutoring.

She notes her current motivation differs from earlier work, driven by genuine enjoyment rather than financial necessity. Zuidgeest-Craft also expresses a desire to update medical school curricula after completing her residency.