What is your hometown?
Pella, Iowa
How or when did you become interested in science and medicine?
I first became very interested in medicine as a senior in high school when I took an advanced biology class that was taught by a local physician, Iowa graduate Dr. Richard Posthuma. He taught us human physiology and related the information to patients that he had seen and treated. I had enjoyed science before but became really excited about medicine in particular after this exposure to the science of the human body and how that knowledge is used to treat patients. Medicine seemed to be just the right combination of science and working with people, and my interest continued to grow from there.
How or why did you choose the UI to attend medical school?
I applied to a variety of schools across the country in hopes that I might be accepted into the same school (or at least a school in the same city) at which my wife, who was applying at the same time, was also accepted for physical therapy school. We were very excited when we were both accepted at the University of Iowa. We loved the friendly and helpful people at Iowa and knew that the well-respected programs and faculty would provide us both with an excellent education. The campus, with all its trees and open space, was appealing. Being at a large Big 10 university with all the opportunities that provides was a final drawing factor. And of course we loved the idea of being in Iowa City to cheer for the Hawkeyes!
Is there a teacher, mentor or Carver College of Medicine faculty member who has helped shape your education?
Dr. Chris Cooper has been a very supportive mentor, an excellent source of advice, and a great example of an academic physician who successfully balances career and family. I initially began working with Dr. Cooper before I started medical school, as he was my research mentor for the summer research program. I worked with him for a second summer of research following my first year of medical school and have stayed in close contact with him since, continuing some research and submitting several manuscripts to journals. I was also able to travel to several annual research meetings with him and several others from the University of Iowa.
What kinds of opportunities or advantages does being a medical student at Iowa provide? What about challenges?
Medical students at Iowa have the opportunity to get involved in many activities outside the usual academic environment through the “community” structure or through the many student interest groups that are available. Excellent opportunities like the summer research program and MECO are available for the summer after the first year. Global Programs offers many opportunities to complete rotations in international or other underserved sites. Probably the biggest advantage and highlight of my time at Iowa so far has been my classmates. Our class is a great group of interesting and fun people with a variety of interests who have come together to create a very collaborative and enjoyable educational environment. Our class seems to keep things in the right perspective as well, always finding time to have fun together away from the classroom and hospital.
I think the challenges of being a medical student at Iowa are similar to the challenges at other schools. Probably the biggest challenge that I’m currently facing is trying to choose the specialty that I will pursue. The third year of medical school can be very daunting, as we adjust to the educational style of the “clinical years” and try to absorb as much information as possible on each rotation. At the same time, we must be focusing our career options based on limited time for researching the specialties and limited exposure to all the specialties available.
Please describe your professional goals and interests.
I am still undecided about what specialty I will pursue. Regardless of that decision, I know that I want to become involved in volunteer medical work in impoverished countries, definitely on a short-term basis but perhaps longer term as well if the right opportunity arises. I would also like to become involved in teaching medical students and/or residents at some point in my career.
What are some of your outside interests?
My wife and I enjoy a variety of outdoors activities, including running, biking, and going to the lake. I have always enjoyed sports, and I continue to participate in a summer softball league and a variety of intramural sports with my classmates. I’ve made it to most of the Hawkeye basketball and football games over the past few years. I also like to read and spend time with our friends and family, including a niece and nephew within driving distance.
Do you participate in any community service/outreach projects? If so, what are they and what have your experiences been?
My involvement in the Flocks Community has provided me with a number of opportunities to get involved in the community, including Angel Tree, food drives, fundraisers for the Free Medical Clinic, and serving dinners at the Shelter House. My wife and I also enjoy being involved in a local church where we have been able to help with Vacation Bible School and weekly Sunday School classes.
Do you have an insight or philosophy that guides you in your work?
I try to live and work in the way modeled by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I’m far from achieving this goal, but it certainly provides me with all the motivation needed to show grace and compassion to people needing help, patients or otherwise.
If you could change one thing about the world (or the world of medicine), what would it be?
I would change the disparity in health care that is received between the rich versus the poor, both within this country and between this country and third world countries. When millions of dollars are spent on highly specialized research in this country, while elsewhere children die without vaccinations for preventable diseases and people go blind simply because they have no antibiotics, something must be wrong. I have no great solution to this problem, but I would love to be a small part of a significant effort to make a difference.
What one piece of advice would you give to students who are interested in applying to medical school?
In order to make a sound decision about medical school, get adequate exposure to health care and thoroughly assess your motivations prior to applying. I have loved medical school and have no regrets about my choice, but I can’t imagine putting in the long hours of studying if I were having doubts about my choice because I had entered medicine with the wrong intentions or based on misconceptions.
What do you see as "the future" of medicine?
Medicine continues to become more and more specialized as research progresses and knowledge about human disease continues to increase. This increase in knowledge can lead to improved therapies, but the danger also exists for increasingly fragmented care, in which multiple specialists are seen but no one adequately pulls all the pieces together into a complete care plan. I think it remains to be seen how comprehensive patient care will be maintained as medicine continues to become more specialized.