Why did you choose to pursue a career in medicine?
At a young age, I started going on medical mission trips with my parents to many different countries. I have gotten experience with many cultures and types of medicine that made me want to use my knowledge to pursue further education so that I could one day have the same impact I have seen my parents make on the lives of so many people.
I have seen my parents and their friends in medicine collaborate on finding a solution to rare tropical diseases or complex cases and always wished that I had the knowledge to contribute. I have interacted with all kinds of people and have learned so much about the inequalities and issues in health care, which inspired me to do something to make a difference. Even if the difference is in the life of one person, or a thousand people, it matters. I want my life, and my career, to be focused on giving back, because I have been given so much.
I am also very passionate about addressing the medical side of the complex issue of human trafficking in American and other countries. I am not quite sure yet how I will integrate this into my career, but there are so many opportunities to learn about any issue you are passionate about addressing at McGovern, and I am excited to see where this will take me in my future.
How did your parents meet at McGovern Medical School in 1994?
My parents met the first week of medical school at their orientation. They have a funny story of how they switched name tags as a joke, and it took a while for people to stop calling my mom Alex and my dad Stacey.
They have a lot of memories of their long days of studying and having to wake each other up after 10-minute naps so they could get back to work. They love telling stories about their friends and experience at McGovern, and we have had so many laughs over family dinners about all the great times they had.
What is it like to follow in your parents’ footsteps?
My parents’ history with McGovern really influenced my decision to attend this school and go into medicine. They have had so many great things to say about McGovern, and although they told me it would be some of the most difficult years of my life, they also remind me it will be some of the best years as well.
It’s pretty crazy to be sitting in the same classroom that they did 26 years ago and be able to continue a legacy that they paved for me to pursue. I look up to my parents so much and the incredible doctors they are. My dad is an amazing ER doctor in Dallas-Fort Worth, and my mom is an internal medicine doctor who left her practice to pursue a career in local and global medical missions.
My dad really inspires me to work hard and be hands-on in my approach to school and health care. My mom has shown me that giving back to those in need is more important than a salary or recognition. Both of my parents have shaped me tremendously into the doctor I eventually want to become, and I am so honored to be following their lead.
Why McGovern Medical School?
The Texas Medical Center is an amazing place to begin a career in medicine. There are so many opportunities and resources here, and Houston is a great city to explore more of who you are and what you want to become. I love the community at McGovern and the support that is offered by both peers and faculty.
What motivates you?
I have always been very motivated to achieve great things. My parents have always encouraged me to do hard things and not be afraid of failure. I try to stay very appreciative of the life I have and the opportunity I have to get a great education.
Who is your hero?
I had a really great teacher in high school who shaped much of who I am today. She was always willing to listen with no judgment in some of the more difficult times in my life. She really inspired me to be someone who wants to know other people deeply, hear people’s stories, and be a safe person to confide in.
She taught me a lot about other cultures and other religions and how to connect with people from any walk of life. Whether it’s my friends, or my future patients, I hope that one day I will have the same capability to listen well, ask good questions, and be somebody that others can trust.
What is your ultimate goal for a career in medicine?
My ultimate goal is to invest my time into learning all I can to eventually be the best doctor I can be. Medical school is so much more than science and skills. There is so much to learn about people from other experiences, cultures, and affiliations, and McGovern does a great job at focusing on these topics.
I don’t necessarily strive to be the smartest person in my class, but I hope that I can be a doctor who is always open to learning and growing. I want to find my passion in the field of medicine and dig deeper into what I want to give back to my community.
What emotions are you feeling beginning medical school?
Starting medical school has definitely been a mix of emotions. I have felt anxious about school and finding friends and a supportive community. I have also felt a bit of imposter syndrome while interacting with other students who seem extremely smart and capable.
Most of all, I have felt very thankful to sit in a classroom with so many different people all pursuing the same dream. Sitting in class the first day was surreal, but I know my younger self would be so proud of who I have become and the life I am working toward.
I am so excited for the future friends I will make, the professors I have the opportunity to meet, and the great education I am going to receive.
What are you looking forward to most about medical school?
I am really excited to enter rotations in third and fourth year and find out what exactly I want to pursue.
I am also really looking forward to making deeper friendships and finding the people I will stay connected with for the rest of my life. Might sound crazy, but sometimes those nights where you have to study until 3 a.m. with your friends make the best memories, and I am excited to share all the highs and lows of medical school with the people I have met and have yet to meet.
What specialty would you choose if you had to pick now?
I am currently leaning toward Emergency Medicine. I have always liked things to be a bit more fast paced and be able to see something new every day. Honestly, I have no clue what exactly I want to do, but right now the ER field is something I am definitely interested in exploring.
Read the rest of the stories from the Newest Faces of McGovern Medical School.