Why did you choose to pursue a career in medicine?
As a kid, I always played doctor for my parents when they needed bandage changes or care after surgery. I was fascinated by the human body and wanted to learn more, asking to go to Body Worlds or following along to doctors’ appointments.
As I grew up, I discovered many interests in the world, such as physics and engineering. This led me down a different career path, but I never lost my passion for medicine. I vaccinated and vetted my foster dogs, read articles on novel surgical procedures, and continued to care for family and friends when needed.
I was looking for the next step in my career, when my husband and I took a trip home to see my parents after my dad had knee surgery. My dad surprised me with a video of his surgery, and after watching it on repeat throughout the weekend, I discovered the nontraditional path to medical school. After several years of pre-requisites and learning about medicine, I found myself leaving my career and coming here!
How will a background in engineering will help your career in medicine?
The best thing engineering taught me was how to think. When presented with a problem, I can work my way back to a root cause and find logical paths to a solution. The same thought process can be applied to diagnostics and creating treatment plans.
I also have a scientific understanding of the forces at play within the body and how small changes can affect them, such as how a change in blood vessel diameter effects the velocity of blood flow (thank you, fluid dynamics).
My engineering career taught me how to lead teams toward a common goal, work with people of all different backgrounds, and strategize with clients. These experiences will aid me in establishing relationships with colleagues and patients to provide the very best care.
Why McGovern Medical School?
After moving to Houston in 2015, I quickly learned about the city within the city, also known as the Texas Medical Center. Over the years, I learned about innovative physicians who practiced here and heard many stories of great experiences from patients. I knew I wanted to study in one of the best medical centers in the country.
When I had the opportunity to interview, even though it was virtual, it felt like a good “fit.” It was also nice to know that with such a large class size, I was bound to find other non-traditional students with similar experiences. Learning about McGovern’s affiliations with Life Flight and Memorial Hermann sealed the deal, and I anxiously waited to hear back that I had been accepted.
What emotions are you feeling beginning medical school?
Anxiety and excitement, but also a strange peace. As I have worked toward this goal for the past few years, I’ve had to split my time and energy with my full-time job and other responsibilities. I felt like I was constantly stretched to my thinnest getting to this point. Now that it’s here, I finally get to dedicate all of myself to this dream. I feel a bit relieved and completely ready to dive in.
What are you looking forward to most about medical school?
Ultimately, I’m excited to find my niche in medicine, but I know that will take some time and effort, so I’d say I’m looking forward to putting in the work. I can’t wait to spend countless hours in the anatomy lab, shadow physicians, and see many different aspects of medicine. In undergrad, my goal was to finish school, find a job, and begin my career. This time, I intend on enjoying the ride while enriching my passion for medicine.
What is your ultimate goal for a career in medicine?
When I was younger, I always said I wanted to change the world. As I grew up, I learned that the world usually isn’t transformed through grand gestures but instead by everyday actions. In my future medical career, I hope to positively impact the lives of my patients every day. By changing the world one patient at a time, my childhood goal may yet be realized.
What sparked your interest in rural medicine?
My mom is from a very small town in North Texas. I spent most summers of my childhood running through hay fields, herding cattle, and meeting the entire town because Granny knew everybody. My memories of Muenster are still some of my warmest.
The last time I went back there, years after as a grown adult, I was instantly recognized by a waitress and ended up talking to several tables of people about my connection to the area. That’s the kind of hospitality that makes me interested in living in a small, rural town one day. If I could know everybody like Granny did and be able to serve the community as a physician, it would be all the more rewarding.
Who are your heroes?
That’s a tough question, because I don’t really have just one. There are figures of history that I admire, like Amelia Earhart, and names of today, like the “Iron Nun” Madonna Buder. There’s also my family who always acted as my role models growing up, as I tried to be more and more like my older sisters every day, following their lead in sports, band, and school.
In general, I keep my mind open to learning about admirable figures who may not be as well-known, and I try to surround myself with people that I can look up to or who can help me improve.
What motivates you?
My motivation primarily comes from within. I know what my best looks like, and I strive to achieve it. Of course, I also want to make my family proud. My husband has been nothing but supportive in my pursuit of a career in medicine, and I try to be as good of a person as he thinks I am.
Read the rest of the stories from the Newest Faces of McGovern Medical School.