What inspired you to want to pursue a career in medicine?
The answer to “why medicine” has changed over the years for me. I first pursued a career in medicine (as a physician assistant) because nothing else in life fascinated me as much as the intricacies of physiology; this was what I wanted to spend my time thinking about, and I wanted to use it to help. Since those beginnings, however, years of life experience have added greater depth to my desire to be in medicine.
First, I had the opportunity to be part of the leadership of an engineering medical device startup here in Houston, which gave me experience with the intersection of medical research, industry, and engineering. The company developed an expertise in the design and development of implantable neurostim devices, which meant I saw up-close the emerging research and innovation being used to treat some of the most difficult neurological problems. I hope to continue to contribute to this area of medicine through my training as a physician.
In addition to my experience in med device, I have also raised four children. Through countless conversations at playgrounds, book clubs, and classroom parties with other parents, as well as my own personal experiences needing medical care for those dependent on me, I want to be one of the many compassionate physicians who are often a lifeline in the midst of great struggle. I hope to bring the empathy of experience to each patient I have the privilege to care for.
Why did you choose McGovern Medical School?
McGovern Medical School stood out to me throughout the process of interviews for two reasons: the warmth of the people and the excellence of the programming. I truly enjoyed interacting with each person from McGovern, whether they were on a panel or speaking with me personally. Much is said about the collaborative spirit at McGovern, which is important, and I could sense in each of my interactions that it was not just a catch-phrase.
Additionally, the interviews were well-organized, excellently run, and when there was a small glitch in my interview day I knew exactly what to do, as the staff had planned for every eventuality. And, I was thrilled to discover that McGovern was my first choice, because I love all things Houston. I was born and raised here, so Houston is in my bones. Nothing surpasses the Texas Medical Center, the Houston Astros, or the people of this city, in my book!
What motivates you?
I am motivated by innovation. I marvel at the commitment and tenacity of the physicians and scientists who have come before us, who have continually taken steps forward in the prevention and treatment of illness. My motivation comes from the knowledge of all that has been accomplished and the belief that we can continue to make strides.
Who is your hero?
My hero is my older sister, and those like her, who have suffered loss and learned to press forward. When we suddenly lost my nephew to illness, it felt like the weight of the circumstances were too crushing to overcome. Yet, I watch her continue to take steps in faith, find community who understood, and hold on to hope. We have always been close, but watching her persevere has made her the person I most admire. I extend the same awe and honor to others who have faced similar losses.
What is your ultimate goal for your career in medicine?
My ultimate goal in becoming a physician is to bring together my varied life experiences for the betterment of my specialty and the patients I treat. In addition to my experiences in medicine, business, and parenting, I also did graduate work in English with a specialty in rhetoric. The idea behind rhetoric is to study how we communicate – to ourselves as well as others – and what influences convince us to think or act in certain ways. I hope to use each of these aspects of my lived history to pursue research and patient care that pushes for innovative and compassionate care.
What kind of emotions do you feel as you’re beginning medical school?
I feel as if I am standing at the starting line of a race — I have prepared, planned, trained and waited to get to this moment and I could not be more excited! But also, I have a big race to run in the coming years, which will have a healthy mix of toil alongside the thrill of learning. It is a mix of emotions that I would summarize in the word “anticipation.”
What are you looking forward to most about medical school?
I am most looking forward to being with a cohort of people who are all striving for the same thing. We all may have different backgrounds, cultures, experiences (and ages!), from each other, but at the end of the day we are like-minded in our pursuit. I look forward to mutual inspiration and support.
If you had to pick a medical specialty right now, what would it be and why?
At this moment, I would choose neurology for my specialty. In various ways, my path in life keeps returning to this point, of wanting to continually improve the care available in neurology. From having a child with epilepsy to being involved in med device innovation in this area to walking alongside family members who lost a beloved child to a neurological disease, neurological care has been whirring in my mind for several years.
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