What is your hometown?
Sioux Center
How or when did you become interested in science and medicine?
My father is a veterinarian,and at an early age I would ride with him in his vet truck and see how he interacted with farmers and practiced veterinary medicine. As a result, biology was always more familiar to me throughout school and kept my attention better than other subjects. I never considered entering the human medical profession growing up. I thought that I would be a rural veterinarian like my dad working with farmers and livestock. I went to Iowa State with that intention and entered veterinary school after 3 years of undergrad. It was while in veterinary school that I felt very distanced from people's lives. On a visceral level, I knew that I liked the physiology behind medicine, but I did not feel like I was making the same kind of impact that a doctor can make in a patient's life. The switch to human medicine has been a very empowering endeavor in my life. I cannot think of a better job than getting to use what you know to help sick people get better.
How or why did you choose the UI to attend medical school?
It was a place that was clearly dedicated to student education. From the beginning the administration showed that they were responsive to students and always in the process of becoming better. I wanted to be a part of a community that was not satisfied with the past or standing still.
Is there a teacher, mentor or Carver College of Medicine faculty member who has helped shape your education?
Dr. Richard LeBlond has taught me more than anyone about the kind of doctor that I hope to become. In my mind, he exemplifies patient-centered medicine. He approaches each patient as an individual and works with them to find the best treatment plan. Getting to work with him is like watching a great artist at their craft. Not only does he have a tremendous knowledge base, but there is seasoned experience behind what he is trying to teach you and behind what he tells his patients. I hope to be that kind of clinician some day.
What kinds of opportunities or advantages does being a medical student at Iowa provide? What about challenges?
Whenever you gather a lot of bright and friendly people together and set them to the task of healthcare, there are bound to be great opportunities for medical students. There are different ways this has played out during my time here. During my first two years, I approached Dr. James Martins, a cardiologist, about following him around. He really enjoys working with medical students, and I wanted to know more about cardiology. I got to see patients in the clinic and observe pacemaker insertions. It stimulated my learning in the basic sciences during those first two years to see that I really would get out of the classroom someday and get to the business helping people. There are lots of opportunities like this from top-notch clinical work to cutting edge research here at Iowa. Student access to these opportunities is a result of faculty who love to see students succeed and an administration that puts resources behind student education.
I think the biggest challenge to being a medical student at Iowa is the same as being a medical student anywhere. Everyday you are in the process of chipping away at a huge amount of information to be learned. In my case, it is only after the third or fourth time that some of it starts to stick. Over time, things start to come together and every once in a while you get a glimpse of how far you have come in your training. More often though, you are reminded of how far you have to go to effectively take care of patients.
Please describe your professional goals and interests.
I will be starting residency in Internal Medicine this July at a program to be decided on March 15th. One day I hope to be someone's doctor, and I mean that in the personal sense. I hope to work with patients over the long-term knowing their stories and sharing life with them. The form this will take is yet to be determined, but clinical cardiology may be a good fit for me.
What are some of your outside interests?
I used to think that I really was not cut out for much besides medicine, and I still believe that this is the best job in the world for me. But recently I have been thinking that if I were forced to choose a second, I would be a history teacher. Primarily, I enjoy American history especially biographies of past presidents. I also enjoy playing racquetball, running, ethnic restaurants, and having as much fun as possible.
Do you participate in any community service/outreach projects? If so, what are they and what have your experiences been?
I recently started volunteering at the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic. I wish I had started sooner. It is a great place to serve a need in the community under an established structure. As a medical student, you get to see the patients yourself and then consult with a physician who is most often a faculty physician at the University. It really gives you a chance to hone your outpatient skills and put what you have learned into practice.
As a 1st and 2nd year student, I was involved in the Medical Student Ambassador Program. The group is involved in introducing prospective students to life in medical school during their interview days. We also work in the community and go to elementary schools and put on educational sessions about health, nutrition, and biology. This was a great opportunity that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Do you have an insight or philosophy that guides you in your work?
I'm always surprised how far a good attitude and hard work can get you in the medical world. While having a good brain never hurts, it seems to be the motivated individuals who love what they do and enjoy listening to patient stories that get the most out of medical school.
If you could change one thing about the world (or the world of medicine), what would it be?
Take away the mean people.
What one piece of advice you would give to students who are interested in applying to medical school?
Do what you love with energy. If that means going overseas to learn languages, do that. If it means getting really involved in computer software development, do that. Medicine is not for everyone. If doing what you love involves a combination of humanistic compassion for others and a curiosity into the biology and pathology of disease and its cures, medicine is probably a good fit for you. If that does describe you, then it will come out in the activities you pursue and the way you talk about your interest in the field of medicine. Medicine does not need more smart and talented individuals. Medicine needs smart, talented individuals who enjoy what they do and give it everything they have because they love it.
What do you see as "the future" of medicine?
It is not difficult to find pessimists about the future of medicine. Rising healthcare costs, decreasing reimbursement, rising malpractice suits, etc... All of these are valid concerns and will need to be addressed by the profession and society at large. However, I believe that there will always be a place for people who enjoy the science of medicine and its application in compassionately caring for the sick. It is a privilege to be a part of this profession. Even with all of the headaches and frustrations in practicing healthcare today, there will always be a need for a competent and compassionate doctor to be there for a patient that is sick. I'm looking forward to it.