Why medicine inspires me

She passed away suddenly three years ago but I always considered her my guardian angel. I just want to share and say thank you to everyone who has been a part of the medical community and the team that I work with every single day. The selflessness of my colleagues, residents, nurses, respiratory therapists, patient care advocates, assistants, administration team, and environmental services teams was moving.

Everyone was there ready to help out, pitch in, and face this frightening unknown with resilience, strength and incredible bravery.

I also wanted to mention the love, support, and gratitude demonstrated by patients and their caregivers throughout the pandemic. I want to thank everyone for everything they have done over the course of this really challenging year. Their resilience, optimism, and ability to still express themselves in their passions during this time continues to motivate me and really keeps me excited to do the work that I do.

For me, it is unequivocally my parents. After maternity leave, I had to go back on the front lines. There are times that I get burnt out but when I see my patients improving, partnering together with me, and putting in the work; being a part of that and playing a role in that is what inspires me to keep going on this path in my career as a physician.

My wife, Lauren, works in the Intensive Care Unit and chose to go back to work and give back to our community here in central Florida several months after giving birth to our newborn son, who was born at the very start of this pandemic. Over the past year, both their health statuses have declined requiring full assistance daily.

As early as elementary school, I developed a love for math and science. I somehow knew very early on that medicine was the career for me. I wanted to help people. Bradford is the executive vice dean for academic affairs at Michigan Medicine and the Charles J. Krause, M. As a surgeon, I can have an immediate positive impact on the care of patients with cancer. Working towards improved cancer treatments with my husband, professor Lonnie Shea, provides ongoing hope and optimism that the diseases we are studying may one day be cured.

Jeruss is an associate professor of surgery and director of the Breast Care Center. Despite the stress, long hours away from home and family, I could never imagine a different career. Osborne is an assistant professor of surgery and an associate program director of vascular surgery. Hurvitz is a professor and chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Fifteen years later, it continues to be a great joy and a privilege to help the tiniest of patients.

The patient does not speak English and, unfortunately, my ability to speak the patient's native language is nonexistent. But I, and other doctors here at U-M, understood the patient's medical problems. Through an interpreter and with love and help from the patient's family, we were able to guide the patient through much needed medical procedures. Today, the patient is well. After indicating how happy I am for the patient, we had a hug that transmitted the essence of the doctor-patient relationship.

No words are needed to explain why I wanted to become a doctor. Arvan is a professor and division chief of the Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes. As a doctor and researcher, I have the honor of partnering with communities to find ways to solve the everyday problems that make leading a healthy life so hard. The incredibly strong and resilient young adults I work with every day are why I became a doctor.

Chang is an assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine and a practicing physician at the Corner Health Center. This sense of calling was reinforced early in my medical training when I first had the opportunity to care for and emotionally connect with patients. I think of my mentors over those years who not only taught me the art and skills of medicine, but more importantly how to be a doctor.

Caring for ill and injured servicemen and servicewomen was among the most humbling yet rewarding experiences in my life. Here at Michigan Medicine, as a subspecialty physician and a medical director, I have been able to expand my opportunities to connect with patients and families during their most vulnerable times. Their joy, passion and desire to serve others inspires me. This was further solidified when I understood that medical translational research has direct impact on we the patients.

However, health care — in the form of supportive physicians, nurses and friends — still helped him have a meaningful life and gave him dignified care. I told Wayne I wanted to be a physician to provide hope and comfort to people who really needed it, to help people in their lives by being a partner in their health. He said he knew I would be a great physician. I try to live up to his expectations. Many physicians have inspired and supported my journey in medicine.

But when I really think about why I wanted to be a doctor, Wayne comes to mind. He taught me good lessons I still use. Truly listen. And lastly, an illness does not define a person. Doctor meant caretaker. When my mother had migraines, I would take care of her. I wanted to make people feel better when they were hurting. It is not surprising that I chose family medicine.

But who inspired me? My father shares stories about my sister and me getting our checkups at home with a family friend who was an internist. We were fortunate that neither my sister nor I needed much medical care as kids. My idea of a doctor was one that was built at home each time my mother called me one when I brought her water or some other small item a child would use to try to take away owees.

I think we make the decision to become doctors over and over again. In doing so, we inspire each other. Each obstacle is a checkpoint asking us if we are certain of our path. Getting into a good college and being sure it would be paid for was the first challenge for me. I would also list all college calculus, organic chemistry and physics courses as evil gatekeepers. Applying to medical school the first time, and the year-long decision to try again a second, successful time.

Feeling the true weight of human life, death and health on your shoulders for the first time as an intern changes you forever. And here, in the comfort of life as an attending, the COVID pandemic reminds us all again of our honor and responsibility to try and make people feel better when they are hurting.

The first was the positive memory of my family doctor as a small child and how I loved going to the doctor. The second memory was watching a football game in middle school.

An unfortunate event occurred, and the ambulance crew had to jump into action. I remember being enamored with the idea of responding to an emergency situation and having the potential to save a life. I remember telling my mother I wanted to drive the ambulance.

She looked at me and asked, why not become a doctor? Irrespective of what your motivation on this path is, the Medical University of Americas will help you in essaying your journey towards becoming a doctor in every possible way. MUA models its curriculum on US and Canadian medical schools, and focuses on teaching students in small classrooms providing maximum interaction with their professors.

This ensures that each individual gets the required attention and is thoroughly prepared for a career in medicine. Discover more about this high achieving school here! This website makes use of cookies to enhance browsing and provide additional functionality.

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