Newest Faces of McGovern: Caroline Crain
What inspired you to want to pursue a career in medicine?
In many ways, I always knew that I wanted to be a doctor. As a kid, I had a keen interest in the human body and was known to proclaim my intent to become a pediatric oncologist to any adult who would listen. But I think my years invested in the fields of community health and sustainable development are what really honed my future path in medicine.
I owe much of where I am to Amigos de las Americas (AMIGOS), an organization that I worked with for many years on sustainable and community-led development initiatives in rural parts of Latin America. Seeing how I could apply the tenets of community-led development to address what I saw as key issues in medicine, such as systemic barriers to healthcare access particularly in rural populations, is what initially sparked my interest in community medicine, particularly as it related to global and rural health.
Going on to pursue my MPH in community health and health disparities at UTHealth Houston only solidified my drive to pursue a career at the intersection of medicine, community health, and sustainable development. It was fascinating to see how healthcare does not operate in a vacuum but is influenced by nearly every aspect of our lives, from socioeconomic class to cultural and historical contexts. These experiences have all inspired me to pursue a career where I hope to make a difference both at individual and systemic levels.
Why did you choose McGovern Medical School?
For me, what made McGovern stand out amongst the rest was their interest in creating a class of interesting and diverse individuals who all bring different skills and backgrounds to the table. It was clear that McGovern cared about more than just my grades and test scores, but also about my years as an oboist or time working in Latin America, for example. Their approach made me feel like I was more than just a statistic for them, which I really appreciated.
Additionally, receptiveness to student feedback was a quality I really valued and something that came across very clearly in my conversations with students, who even joked that the school almost sends them too many feedback surveys. Receiving the McGovern Scholar Award was the cherry on top of what was already a wonderful fit.
What motivates you?
During college, I had the opportunity to spend a semester in Tanzania conducting research on the barriers that preclude rural mothers from accessing maternal healthcare. Though I had tried to prepare myself for much of what I expected to hear, in particular the many stories of profound loss and hardship caused by a lack of accessible care, I was stunned by the myriad of stories that revealed a health system that not only failed to accommodate rural women but actively imposed challenges on those who were already marginalized.
I hope my career can honor the mothers who so candidly shared their experiences with me—and who in large part shaped my future career path—by working toward creating a health system that lifts up diverse and marginalized patient populations, ensuring that others do not have to face similar hardships.
Who is your hero?
At least within medicine, my hero is Dr. Paul Farmer. Having spent so many years working in the field of sustainable development with AMIGOS, when I first learned about Dr. Farmer’s work with Partners in Health, I was incredibly inspired to see someone making systemic change through truly sustainable and community-led initiatives. Since his recent passing, I’ve made a goal to make it through all of his books, and I am continually motivated and inspired by his compassionate approach to patient care as well as his effort to understand the social context of disease, particularly how systemic racism and classism have shaped the way diseases manifest in populations. If I could hope to walk in anyone’s footsteps, it would certainly be his.
Outside of medicine, I am eternally grateful for my family and my partner, Ben. They are all heroes in their own rights, and I greatly admire each of their compassion, generosity, and ambition (as well as their constant reminders for me to have a life outside of school)!
What is your ultimate goal for your career in medicine?
One of my favorite quotes from Dr. Farmer is one that also seems to be his most obvious: “If you’re in front of someone who’s suffering and you have the tools at your disposal to alleviate that suffering or even eradicate it, you act.” In a field that is increasingly afflicted with disparities and inequity, I believe that it is my ethical obligation as a future physician to act: to work toward creating true equity both in the exam room and in my daily life.
When I think about my goals, I hope to connect with and work within the diverse patient communities I hope to serve to ensure that I am an agent of positive and community-centered change. If I could be remembered for one thing, it would not be the conventional markers of a successful career—publications written, lectures given, or even renown amongst my peers—but rather as being a passionate advocate for the communities that need someone working in their corner.
What kind of emotions do you feel as you’re ready to begin medical school?
I think I feel ready and eager to tackle this new chapter, both in my life and my career. It feels amazing to finally be on my way to doing the thing I’ve always dreamed of, so I’m trying to soak up and hold onto that excitement for as long as I can!
What are you looking forward to most about medical school?
I am most looking forward to being able to work directly with patients for the first time and learn so many new and exciting things along the way. Being able to spend my time studying things that are directly related to my career in medicine has been much anticipated and something that (hopefully) will make all the long days worth it.
If you had to pick a medical specialty right now, what would it be and why?
I am excited to find my niche and foresee this including a combination of both domestic and global rural health. Within those fields, I’d love to work with pediatric or adolescent patient populations. I really admire the resilience and positivity of kids and think I’d enjoy the challenge of navigating all of their different developmental periods.
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