What is your hometown?
Taos, N.M. I am the eldest of four children and my family still resides in New Mexico.
How or when did you become interested in science and medicine?
I have been interested in science since middle school and did many fun science fair projects, some of which earned me a spot in state competitions. In high school, I attended a math and science enrichment program at Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass. for three summers where I studied with really bright students from around the country. These experiences taught me that I could succeed in a science-based career, but I needed to apply this knowledge to benefit other people too. There’s never been a doctor in my family, so I am very proud I have chosen this path.
How or why did you choose the UI to attend medical school?
I used the U.S. News & World Report rankings to guide my initial decision to apply to the UI, and after interviewing here I was impressed with the kindness and support offered by the UI Carver College of Medicine staff and faculty. My husband also applied to another UI graduate program at the same time, and once he was accepted, we decided the UI was the best choice for both of us!
Is there a teacher, mentor or Carver College of Medicine faculty member who has helped shape your education?
I have appreciated volunteering alongside many physicians who regularly participate in the UI Mobile Clinic, such as Dr. Ezzatollah Shivapour and Dr. Elizabeth Clark. I admire their enthusiasm for teaching students and their commitment to helping underserved populations in and around Iowa City. Each has taken the time to work with me as we talk about a patient’s case and consider the best way we can manage their care. I have also received immense encouragement from Dr. Virginia Woodard ever since I began school two years ago. She has a way of making students feel at home away from home. Her tireless support of diversity in medical school is the type of enthusiasm and dedication our school needs!
What kinds of opportunities or advantages does being a medical student at Iowa provide?
Medical students at Iowa are fortunate to be part of a dynamic curriculum that aims to reflect the diverse and complex nature of patient care, with an emphasis not only on basic science but also on humanism in medicine. Medical students also have the chance to provide feedback to help make the curriculum better for future students.
I am especially grateful for the support I received to travel abroad for a clinical experience outside the classroom. I spent eight weeks in Guatemala and worked with an indigenous community of women to promote hygiene, nutrition and family planning.
What about challenges?
Being far from my family in New Mexico has been a challenge, but my husband has definitely supported me throughout my medical education. I’d also like to see more ethnic diversity in the medical school to reflect the growing diversity in the patient population. It’s amazing to see the calm that passes over a patient’s face when they realize that you can speak their language or identify with their cultural upbringing.
Please describe your professional goals/interests.
I love working with children and I also enjoy working with older generations. Family practice seems to be a good fit, but I’m keeping my options open throughout the clinical years. Overall, I am most excited about the multidisciplinary nature of patient care. Doctors are only part of the equation because we will also work alongside social workers, counselors, teachers and many other professionals to help our patients and their families.
Has your work in Guatamala and at the UI effected what career in medicine you hope to pursue?
In Guatemala I was exposed to a completely different health care system that does not have the same technology, resources or people to care for its population. I learned that when you don't have fancy equipment or tools, you always have your education and this can be applied in the form of disease prevention. It was fairly easy to talk to the women about healthy food alternatives and basic hygiene, and we had plenty of time to interact with them one on one. Many of the women were illiterate, so we had to be creative with presentation of the information by drawing pictures or using props to explain a particular concept. It's easy to overlook all that we have learned, and we must remember to use this information to benefit whomever we work with.
What are some of your outside interests?
My husband and I are regular moviegoers and we especially like independent and/or international films. When I have free time (rarely, anymore!) I love to buy fabric and patterns and sew my own clothes. I also enjoy reading non-fiction books about humanism in medicine. Some recent good titles include "Closing the Chart" by Dr. Stephen Hsi and "The Spirit Catches you and You Fall Down" by Anne Fadiman.
What motivated you to take part in the tsunami relief fundraising effort that was initiated by Carver College of Medicine students?
The tsunami relief effort is a collaborative project sponsored by the Class of 2007. As a member of this class, I wanted to volunteer my time to help make this event successful.
What were the fundraisers and what was your role?
I helped advertise this event to the UI community via preliminary work on a press release and a local bake sale at UI Hospitals and Clinics.
How much money has been raised through these events -- two bake sales, an art auction and a concert at the Englert Theater, and general donations?
We raised $8,000.
Do you have an insight or philosophy that guides you in your work?
"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." This Chinese proverb makes me think of my experience in Guatemala when I worked with the indigenous women. It was our goal to teach the women to take control of caring for themselves, their families and their community. As student volunteers, we could only participate in these educational activities for two months, but if we trained a health promoter from the same community, the health program could then be self-sustaining. One of the most important lessons I learned from this experience is that if you want to work in a community, you must first get to know the people who live there. You must learn about their fears, hopes and beliefs as they relate not only to health care, but to their lives as well.
If you could change one thing about the world (or the world of medicine) what would it be?
I would put more emphasis on mental health as an integral part of a patient’s well-being. There is still too much stigma that surrounds mental illness, and this often prevents people from seeking help from others. I have had personal experiences with mental illness in people close to me, and I learned that the mind is just as vulnerable as the skin, the heart or any other organ in the body.
What one piece of advice would you give to students who are interested in applying to medical school?
Surround yourself with positive energy and people that encourage your desire to pursue a career in medicine. These same resources will be your foundation once you begin the lifelong journey of a medical education. You may encounter people who discourage you and say, “You’re not good enough.” Believe in your own abilities and achievements and succeed...your success is the best reply to anyone’s disparaging comments.
What do you see as the future of medicine?
The future of medicine must rely more on preventive efforts to help attack the growing pandemic of obesity and the diseases that accompany these conditions. My experiences in Guatemala taught me that global preventive medicine efforts are also needed to address the devastating impact of infectious diseases in less-developed countries.