Conversations With An Alum – Lowell Ku, M.D., ’97, Obstetrics and Gynecology and Family Medicine
Residency: John Peter Smith Hospital, Fort Worth, TX for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Family Medicine
Fellowship: University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY for Reproductive Endocrinology, Infertility, and Reproductive Surgery
Current Position: Dallas IVF, Frisco Fertility Center, McKinney Fertility Center – Senior physician partner and Medical Director. Forest Park Medical Center Frisco – Chief of Staff
What is your fondest memory of your time at McGovern Medical School?
From the comradery to the retreat to the feeling of accomplishment after each step of medical school to being the class president, I have many, many fond memories of my time at McGovern Medical School. However, one of my fondest memories is when I gave the speech at graduation. As the president of the Class of 1997, I had the honor of giving a commencement address. I am still honored to have served as the president of the Class of 1997 for all 4 years and I am glad that I could cap off my medical school career with a speech to my wonderful medical school class.
What are your hopes for today’s McGovern Medical School students?
My greatest hope for today’s McGovern Medical School students is that the atmosphere of the medical world of tomorrow will allow for future physicians to have enough autonomy to be able to practice medicine that is in the best interest of their patients. I also hope that today’s McGovern Medical School students will be able to spend more time with patients and less time charting in electronic medical records.
What inspires you?
My patients inspire me. My patients go through such a roller coaster of a journey in order to have a child. The journey from infertility to parenthood can be tough for many patients. The strength, hopefulness, positive attitudes, and smiles that my patients bring to the office everyday always keep me equally as strong, hopeful, and smiling. Additionally, my family also inspires me as my children give me hope for the future.
Who is your mentor?
I have had many mentors throughout my life and career thus far. Growing up, my father and mother were my mentors. They taught me about the importance of Faith, Family, Friends, and Fun. In my medical career, there have been so many physicians who have been there to help guide me to where I am today. I am eternally grateful to those mentors and my parents for their patience, kindness, and insight.
What’s a day on the job like?
6:00-7:00 AM – Get the kids and myself ready for the day
7:00-8:00 AM –Retrieval surgeries
8:00-12:30 PM – Patients and in-office procedures such as office hysteroscopes, sonohysterograms, inseminations
12:30-1:00 PM – Embryo transfers
1:00 – 1:30 PM – Hysterosalpingograms
1:30-4:30 PM – Patients and in-office procedures such as office hysteroscopes, sonohysterograms, inseminations
4:30-6:00 PM – Surgical cases at the hospital
6:00-7:00 PM – Pick up kids from school and fight traffic driving home
7:00-8:00 PM – Help kids with homework
8:00-10:30 PM – Work on completing patient charts, check labs, work on chief of staff duties, alumni board duties, and national committee duties.
10:30 PM – Sleep so I can start over the next day
Additionally, as I am the Chief of Staff of Forest Park Medical Center in Frisco and as I serve on the boards of the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Hewlett Packard Physician Advisory Board, McGovern Medical School Alumni board, and St. Mark’s School of Texas Alumni board, I have monthly meetings for each of these organizations.
What skills are most vital to your job?
Compassion, communication, and persistence are vital to being a Reproductive Endocrinologist, Infertility specialist, and Reproductive surgeon. However, persistence is the most vital. “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” – Calvin Coolidge
What’s on your iPod?
iPod? Who still uses an iPod? Here is what is on my iPhone 6 plus: Over 55,000 photos of my friends and family (especially my kids – ages 5 and 4), my kids’ current favorite movie (at this time it’s Tinkerbell and the Neverbeast as my daughter loves Tinkerbell), over 10,000 songs, some Medical apps such as ePocrates, and a few games (to entertain the kids if they get unruly at a restaurant).
What are some things that you can’t live without and why?
My family – they are why I get up every day. My patients – they are why I go to work every day. Oh, and I also can’t live without my iPhone. I would basically cease to function if I lost my iPhone. Without my calendar, I would not know what to do next.
What fulfills you most?
In my career, one of the most fulfilling aspects is to be able to see and hold the babies of my patients. After such a difficult journey to becoming parents, seeing the smiles on the faces of my patients as they hold their baby is awesome and humbling. In my life, one of the most fulfilling aspects is to be able to witness my children learn new things about life and see them grow up. Having struggled with infertility, my wife and I underwent fertility treatments including IVF in order to conceive. Our little wonders are true miracles and it is awesome and humbling to see them everyday. They bring so much joy into our lives.
What is your favorite word(s)?
My favorite sentence is: “Congratulations, you’re pregnant!”