What is your hometown?
I hail from Albert City, Iowa. Odds are that most of the individuals perusing this article have no idea where this tiny village is situated. However, if one gets the notion to root around a map, while peering at the northwest corner of the state Albert City will eventually surface. In many respects, it is like playing “Where’s Waldo.”
How or when did you become interested in science and medicine?
My interest in science predates any specific memories, but medicine is a different story. In high school I was fortunate enough to shadow a podiatrist and enjoyed the experience. Based on that experience and several others, I spent the majority of my undergraduate education with that profession in mind. Yet, I often wondered what specifically differed in the career of an allopathic doctor. Consequently, to address this issue, I secured a nursing aide’s license and spent 2 years working in the Intensive Care Unit at a major metropolitan trauma center. In all honesty, it was over these years that I formally determined that medicine (specifically allopathic) was to be my career. The opportunity to care for the whole person while simultaneously impacting the lives of patients was something that connected with me.
How or why did you choose the UI to attend medical school?
When trying to determine where to attend medical school, I first narrowed the field down to the schools with strong academic reputations. It is no secret that some schools claim to be stronger academically than others; however, the fact remains that not all institutions meet this criteria. And while some purport to be better in this regard than others, making a decision on this fact alone would be naïve at best. With a handful of universities remaining on the list, I turned to undoubtedly the most important component, namely the people that comprise the institution. Without question, the people at the University of Iowa impressed me tremendously. As a lifelong Iowan, I often took for granted the inherent kindness and caring nature of the people of this state. Particularly at the College of Medicine, peers, faculty, and staff truly want you to succeed. Unfortunately, this was a sentiment that was not shared throughout my medical school interview process. It is precisely this mix of a top-notch education and the upstanding and compassionate people that provide it that lured me to the University of Iowa.
Is there a teacher, mentor or Carver College of Medicine faculty member who has helped shape your education?
On a general level, I have taken pearls of wisdom from many of the faculty and staff at the Carver College of Medicine as I learn how to best interact and assist patients. With that said, attempting to answer this question precisely without appearing to “kiss up” to a faculty member is a tricky endeavor to say the least. But in all seriousness, and despite the fact that he assuredly does not know this, I admire Dean Mandel’s work and personality. Anyone who has been through his Human Organ Systems or FCP IV lectures realizes that he knows his trade quite well. But, this can be said for all of the fine faculty at this school. For me, his refined ability to connect with students and infuse humor at precisely the right junctures is remarkable. As I continue to develop into a competent physician (and hopefully more), I strive to find this balance of clinical acumen and an engaging personality that Dean Mandel displays constantly.
What kinds of opportunities or advantages does being a medical student at Iowa provide? What about challenges?
One of the biggest advantages about the Carver College of Medicine can be found in the way that it approaches medical education. By pioneering the community approach, this school has created an environment that is conducive to students helping each other succeed. While this University is quite competitive nationally, it is not a cut-throat institution; students seek the highest levels of academic achievement, but never at the expense of their peers. In my mind, this is a situation that creates 140-plus superb physicians each and every year, not merely a handful of “exceptional” doctors.
The one “challenge” that I hear bandied about with regard to being a student at Iowa involves the patient population. Often I hear individuals express a concern about not seeing the same variety of patients that one might experience on one of the coasts or in a major metropolitan area. However, I frequently note that this is tertiary care center that receives some of the most fascinating cases and patients in the state. And while the patient demographics may not mimic other regions, one could make a similar argument at any medical school. In the end, the reputation of this school speaks volumes. Physicians continue to graduate from this college with a diverse and widespread knowledgebase that serves their patients well no matter where they choose to practice medicine.
On a lighter note, the biggest challenge for me is living so close to Chicago. The call of Wrigley Field during this time of year is quite enchanting...
Please describe your professional goals/interests.
At this particular crossroads in my medical education, it would be premature for me to suggest that I know the ultimate path my career will traverse. What I can say with some certainty is that the prospect of working in academic medicine is quite intriguing. I continue to perform research with Dr. Eric Dickson and his research staff in the Department of Emergency Medicine, which is both enlightening and intellectually stimulating. As my career advances, this is an aspect that I would like to integrate into my clinical responsibilities. Additionally, deep in the recesses of my thoughts lies the dream of someday serving as the Chicago Cubs team physician, but that can stay between you and me.
What are some of your outside interests?
Outside the halls of the College of Medicine, I enjoy spending time with my wife, whether it be enjoying a pleasant dinner on the town or taking in a Cubs game. Also, I try to find time to participate in intramural and city-wide sporting events, including football, basketball, and softball. Lastly, I have a penchant for collecting Air Jordan shoes, with the total currently surpassing 40 pairs.
Do you participate in any community service/outreach projects? If so, what are they and what have your experiences been?
Through my involvement in various student organizations, I have participated in events such as the Adopt-a-Family program, a bike ride to fight obesity, and several others. But the community service project that remains most prominent in my mind involves the Domestic Violence Intervention Project. For the past two years I have lent my services to the “Press Out Domestic Violence” Bench Press Competition. This event continues to grow each year, both in terms of participants and in the donations raised. This year, we were able to donate almost $3800 so that the children of this program can enjoy those innocent and enjoyable activities that we all cherished as youths. Simply knowing that these kids will be afforded so many opportunities they may not have otherwise makes the related effort well worthwhile.
Do you have an insight or philosophy that guides you in your work?
The one maxim in my life that has survived the test of time is, “If something is worth doing, it is worth doing with 100% effort.” My father bestowed this advice upon me, and it has served me well to this day. At the end of the day, and sometimes in spite of the results, knowing that my maximal effort has been implemented from start to finish has helped me accept the outcome and consequences of my endeavors.
If you could change one thing about the world (or the world of medicine), what would it be?
The one issue that I have given great pause to recently in the world of medicine revolves around access of care. While some might interpret this to mean the ability to afford care or secure insurance, I am actually referring to something slightly different. Especially in the rural state of Iowa, patients do not always have access to the latest laboratory tests, imaging studies, or even certain specialists that represent the highest level of health care. Over time, capitalism and the marketplace will make these resources available to everyone, but by that juncture newer, more sensitive and specific tools will be in use. And while I have not generated a feasible plan to address this problem, I think it represents a real issue that warrants consideration.
What one piece of advice would you give to students who are interested in applying to medical school?
As anyone in medical school will tell a potential applicant, medical school is far from a picnic. I do not mean to imply that it is impossible or that one must sacrifice life in general to survive its rigors. Instead, what I am suggesting is that experiencing the world of medicine beforehand can better prepare one for the four years that may lie before him or her. Since most undergraduate institutions do not provide a great deal of insight into what health care is truly about, I would recommend immersing oneself in this field. Whether it be volunteering at a nursing home, working as an aide or technician, or shadowing physicians on a regular basis, learn about the path upon which you are about to embark. I benefited significantly from such experiences and assert that most students would reap similar rewards.
What do you see as "the future" of medicine?
With every new issue of JAMA or Science, I see “the future” of medicine moving away from the treatment of illnesses and toward the prevention of maladies. Without question, medicine will always involve the diagnosis and treatment of disease. However, with the marked progress in molecular and genetic testing and continued identification of environmental and behavioral risk factors, physicians of the future will see an increasing amount of their work focused on the avoidance of pathology. This has long been a goal of medicine, and I think we are making tremendous strides toward achieving this end.