What is your hometown?
Iowa City, IA
How or when did you become interested in science and medicine?
I was one of those kids who knew I wanted to be a doctor from a very young age. As I went through school, I seemed to gravitate toward the sciences which confirmed my ambitions to become a physician. In college I volunteered in hospital settings and did basic science research, and the hospital was the better fit.
How or why did you choose the University of Iowa to attend medical school?
As a native Iowan, I couldn’t justify attending any other medical school. The University of Iowa is one of the top educators of primary care physicians in the country, and I had the good fortune of attending for the in-state tuition price. It was a package I couldn’t refuse. Also, after doing my undergraduate work in California and spending the year before medical school in China, I was looking forward to being close to my family.
Is there a teacher, mentor or University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine faculty member who has helped shape your education?
My advisor at Stanford University, Dr. Russell Fernald, was a great mentor. I had no idea what I wanted to major in and I happened upon his freshman Neuropsychology seminar. From that point, I knew I wanted to study neuroscience, and he helped me find a way to design a major to fit my interests.
Since I’m from Iowa City, I’ve actually grown up with a number of UI Carver College of Medicine faculty members as my physicians. Dr. Roger Williamson and Nurse Stanley Grant, both in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department, helped deliver my brother and me, and we have remained close family friends ever since. Growing up they were very encouraging of my medical aspirations, and they continue to rally me as I contemplate entering the Obstetrics and Gynecology field myself.
What kinds of opportunities or advantages does being a medical student at Iowa provide? What about challenges?
What I like about Iowa is the support system available to the students. The professors and staff are really interested in the student’s learning and go out of their way to make sure we’re getting the best quality education possible. I think the biggest challenge is finding balance in my daily life; but I think that’s a challenge all medical students face regardless of which school they attend. I think most students come in really focused on school, which is great, but it’s important to start healthy habits now by spending time with friends, family and hobbies so we can carry that into our professional lives. I’ve made some amazing friends here at Iowa who share this philosophy and they help keep me grounded.
Please describe your professional goals and interests?
While I’m still not sure what specialty I’ll end up in, I know I’m very passionate about women’s health, so Obstetrics and Gynecology is high on my list. I also know that I would like to practice internationally. Whether it’s working for the United Nations, the World Health Organization, or a non-governmental organization, I see myself working and raising my family in another country.
What are some of your outside interests?
I love to travel. I take any and every opportunity to visit new places and learn about different cultures. My idea of excitement is to throw myself into a new place, learn how to use the public transportation, order from the menu, chat with the locals and function in the environment.
My other passion is singing. I trained in vocal performance in undergrad and participated in an opera, an a cappella group and recitals. While I don’t have nearly as much time for it in medical school, I try to stay involved by performing with the medical school a cappella group “Major Grooves” and playing a role in “Frolics,” the annual musical competition between the medical students.
Do you participate in any community service/outreach projects? If so, what are they and what have your experiences been?
I’ve been active in two student groups at the UI Carver College of Medicine, the Global Medicine Society and Medical Students for Choice. Through the Global Medicine Society I helped organize a spring break trip during the first year of medical school where 12 medical students traveled to Nicaragua to work in a free medical clinic. We helped staff a clinic in Managua’s city dump where thousands of people lived off the garbage and made money by collecting recyclables. The poverty was some of the worst I’ve ever seen, but if felt good to be able to help. It also gave me a motivational boost to work hard in medical school so I can do my part and help people who really need it when I have more skills to offer. This year we were able to expand and send three groups of 12 students each on week-long international trips. One group returned to Nicaragua, one group traveled to Ecuador and another also visited Ecuador during March. I was part of the group that traveled to Ecuador during spring break and we traveled to Quito to work in a clinic.
As one of the student leaders of Medical Students for Choice, I’ve helped the group raise awareness among medical students and the community at large about women’s health issues, most recently through a performance of “The Vagina Monologues”. We collaborated with a number of theater students on the project and were able to put on two very well received shows. Ticket proceeds went to the “V-day campaign” and to the Emma Goldman Clinic, a local women’s health clinic.
Do you have an insight or philosophy that guides you in your work?
“Life is like a book. Those who don’t travel read only a page.” – St. Augustine.
I like to apply this quote to more than just traveling. I think the message is to step out of your comfort zone and try new things. I really try to push myself to take chances, both with my career and personal life, because you never know what new passion you’ll discover.
If you could change one thing about the world (or the world of medicine), what would it be?"
One thing I’ve learned so far in medical school is the value of preventative medicine. Along this line, I think universal health care is the next step the United States needs to take to improve the health of its citizens. Without insurance, people don’t have access to the routine care that can really make a difference in their lives.
What one piece of advice would you give to students who are interested in applying to medical school?
Make sure you are ready to hit the ground running when you start medical school. No one is going to tell you it’s an easy four years, so make sure you are mentally prepared. I think a great way to do this is by taking some time off before starting school. Whether it’s relaxing for a summer, traveling for a year or working in a different profession for a number of years, I really recommend doing something for yourself before starting medical school.
What do you see as "the future" of medicine?
I see the United States continuing to be at the forefront of research and development. The technology that has been developed in the past couple of years has made many diagnoses easier for physicians and made treatments more tolerable for patients. On the other hand, there’s a huge chasm between the quality of our health care and that of many countries around the world. Mosquito nets, vaccines and clean water have nothing to do with high-tech gadgets, but can do so much to help improve people’s lives. While the United States continues to prosper and develop, much of the world does not, and I worry that this dichotomy will only become more apparent. However, I know that there are many generous and caring people who will work hard to change this, so I’m very optimistic about the future of medicine.