What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine?
My inspiration for medicine stems from a deep love of education. I fell in love with science while taking biology my freshman year of high school. While I found the curriculum captivating, my teacher played a vital role in this interest. She encouraged her students to learn beyond the textbook, using her prior experience as a lab technician to aid in this. From this point on, I knew I wanted a career in healthcare.
My choice to pursue the career of a physician specifically was solidified when my grandmother passed away after unknowingly having a heart attack. I knew before that heart disease was the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, but I was not aware that women can present with different symptoms than men. This experience forced me to face the fact that lack of education in healthcare is deadly. I knew then that I craved the expertise physicians gain in training to educate my patients.
Furthermore, I want the opportunity to be an agent of change in areas where the current policies are not serving our patients to the best of our ability.
Why did you choose McGovern Medical School?
I chose McGovern Medical School because of how happy everyone seemed on interview day. When asked what the best part of McGovern was, everyone had the same answer: the people. Coming from a smaller university with a tight knit chemistry department, it was really important for me to be in a medical school with this sense of community. Further, I am looking forward to learning and training in the Texas Medical Center and all of the opportunities that come with that.
What motivates you?
Whenever I am overwhelmed or need extra motivation, I like to take a second and think about the future patients I will serve. This reminds me what I am working towards and helps shift my mindset into something positive. I also gain motivation by thinking of all of the opportunities I have been given that others didn’t get the chance to have. I like to acknowledge how lucky I am to be on this path to study medicine and work hard to make the most of it.
Who is your hero?
My heroes are my family. Every opportunity I’ve had has been made possible because of their unwavering support, encouragement, and the lessons they’ve taught me.
My mom, Amy, embodies resilience. She returned to school while raising three children and steadily worked her way up in the tech world. She began as a student worker at a junior college help desk and is now the network administrator for an entire school district.
My dad, Brandon, has shown me the value of persistence and grit. He built a transmission shop from the ground up, right in our backyard, and through years of dedication, earned a loyal clientele and lasting reputation that carried over when he opened a shop in town.
My younger brothers remind me that passion makes effort into purpose. Oliver, the eldest of the two, impresses me daily. While working on an engineering degree, he works alongside my dad and has grown into an impressive mechanic. He is skilled with his hands and recently built a speaker from scratch using a gun case as the shell. Tanner, the youngest, shares that same drive. He’s poured countless hours into customizing his truck by installing speakers, lowering the body with Oliver’s help, and even putting star lights in the headliner. I don’t tell them enough, but I’m incredibly proud of them for chasing knowledge about things they love.
What is your ultimate goal for your career in medicine?
Growing up in a medically underserved area in East Texas, I was able to see how this affects the community members. A lack of general healthcare knowledge and mistrust within the system runs deep in my home community.
Further, many people having to work around the clock to make ends meet are having to travel long distances to seek specialty care. I am glad that with a new medical school being opened in Tyler, steps are being taken to resolve some of these issues. When I finish my training, I intend to return home and aid in this process.
What kind of emotions do you feel as you’re beginning medical school?
As I’m beginning medical school, it feels really rewarding to know that all of my work is coming to fruition. I’m excited to start this new journey at McGovern and begin the next phase of my life. Of course, I also have nerves about all of the change and the “drinking from a fire hose” phase that is to come. I am also sad to be moving away from my family, however, I know that a supportive community awaits me at McGovern to help me find my groove!
What are you looking forward to most about medical school?
I am most looking forward to building relationships with my classmates. As a JAMP scholar, I have been able to attend two summer internships with fellow JAMP scholars. The connections I made have been one of my favorite parts of this experience. So, I am excited to make these connections in the next few years.
Also, I am excited to start learning things through a medical lens. I think it will be really meaningful for me to know that what I am learning will be applied to my future patients.
If you had to pick a medical specialty right now, what would it be and why?
While I am still undecided, if I had to choose right now I would choose pediatrics. I have taught baton twirling lessons the last five years and my favorite part has been watching the girls grow and being part of this growth process. I enjoy the idea of treating my patients through their childhood, building a longitudinal relationship, and watching them achieve their goals beyond this!
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