Fast 15: Lily DeSpain
by May 5, 2025 8:05 am 605 views
Born in Brentwood, Calif., Lily DeSpain spent seven years of her childhood in Beijing, China, where her parents worked at the American embassy. Her father was an FBI agent, and her mother was a translator. While a student at an international British school, DeSpain’s experience with classmates from all over the world broadened her worldview and gave her a greater appreciation of her own country.
After the family settled in Springdale, DeSpain graduated from Haas Hall Academy in three years, before committing to swim for the U.S. Naval Academy. On the dean’s list, she was involved in extracurricular activities, including the Chinese Culture Club, the Chemistry Club, and was Midshipman of the Month.
DeSpain decided on medicine after meeting a doctor and admiring “how much peace he was able to bring people.”
Wanting to have the same positive effect on her own community and become a knowledgeable leader to advocate for her patients, Lily accepted a full scholarship to Missouri State University. At Missouri State she competed as a Division 1 NCAA swimmer, winning relays. In 2024 she was an NCAA Woman of Year honoree. On the dean’s list, in 2024 she graduated magna cum laude in cell and molecular biology with minors in biomedical sciences, chemistry and Chinese.
She immediately began medical school at UAMS Northwest on a full scholarship. Hoping to specialize in dermatology, she conducts research on student athletes and skin cancer. DeSpain will graduate in 2028 with her medical degree and a master’s degree in public health. A commissioned second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, she’ll then begin her residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Maryland.
Near fluent in Chinese, DeSpain is pursuing honors in research and global health, which she hopes will allow her patients, wherever they may be from, to trust her.
“Medicine knows no nationality — everyone gets sick — and understanding and being more culturally aware will allow me to serve my patients in a more culturally conscious way,” she said.
Eventually, DeSpain wants to return to Northwest Arkansas to work in a clinic or in academia. Success for her will be to “leave my community a better place than I found it.” In her downtime DeSpain enjoys quilting and baking with her family.