What is your hometown (place of birth)?
I was born in Mason City, Iowa.
How or when did you become interested in science and medicine?
I think almost my entire life I've wanted to go into medicine. I like it because of the connection you can have with people, and it's one of the best ways to help people. I think one of the ways I can maintain interest in one career is when you can learn something new every day.
How or why did you choose the UI to attend medical school?
Being an Iowa resident, I knew what a good school it was and what a good medical program they have here, and I’ve also spent a lot of time in Iowa City during the summer, and I really enjoy this town. The environment is very conducive to people who are my age and maintains an educational atmosphere.
Is there a teacher, mentor or Carver College of Medicine faculty member who has helped shape your education?
Every faculty member that I have come into contact with has had an impact on me in a different way. I've been so impressed by the physicians and the teachers who are really experts in their fields but also have such good intentions for other people, in general, that I couldn't necessarily pick out one individual.
What kinds of opportunities or advantages does being a medical student at Iowa provide? What about challenges?
I think the personal interaction here is something that you don’t find anywhere else in the country. It's a smaller community, yet so diverse and well rounded. In medicine, you can be as generalized or as specialized as you like, but you will still find someone to connect with on a personal level.
For many people, a major challenge is the location of the University. For me, it's not as challenging since I’m from the area. But living in Iowa is a very different lifestyle from the big city that many people may have come from. Whether you see it in a positive light or not, Iowa and the Midwest offer a way of life that nowhere else can offer.
What have you learned through traveling abroad?
There are so many human similarities that you can really use through medicine and connect with people no matter where they are from. Traveling motivated me to learn more about what you can do to help other people. What I have learned is that a lot of the basic medical care we take for granted here in the United States is not available in many areas abroad, such as Liberia.
How did you get involved with donating supplies to Liberia?
I originally planned to spend an elective rotation in Liberia, but the political situation there prevented me from going. Since I already had made contact with people in Liberia, I came up with the idea of taking leftover medical supplies and books we have here at the UI and sending them to an area that is in need of these resources. When I realized I couldn't physically go there myself, I started this program to send over books and medical supplies instead.
Please describe your professional goals/interests.
I want to be able to go anywhere in the world and be able to practice medicine. I think this is one of the major reasons I chose general pediatrics as my focus. Not only do I love interacting with kids, but also there is always going to be a need for this type of care everywhere in the world.
I want to practice medicine somewhere else in the world, but I don't know where yet. I don't want to be living like a tourist in a hotel; I want to experience the culture and the people.
What are some of your outside interests?
I love music – that was actually my other career option in college. It was the only other field I have ever seriously considered other than medicine, but I've realized that I can incorporate music into my life as a passion and a pastime, yet have a medical career. It is very much an outlet for me, and people in the medical field need that release.
Do you have an insight or philosophy that guides you in your work?
If you keep an open mind, you will be able to appreciate what the world has to offer.
If you could change one thing about the world (or the world of medicine), what would it be?
I would like to see more equality in the utilization of the world's resources. It's almost tragic how fortunate some individuals can be while others are struggling to survive. It's simply something that just doesn't need to be that way.
What one piece of advice would you give to students who are interested in applying to medical school?
If your heart is set on going into medicine, whatever field it may be, you just have to go for it. Don't be discouraged by the details.
What do you see as "the future" of medicine?
I see the world becoming a lot smaller, both locally and globally. If these community connections form, there is a better chance of improving our medical system and medical care. As all realms of technology become more accessible and affordable, I think medical technology will, also.