In the world, some patients barely have any access to their next meal and even less access to proper medical care. These patients were what VCOM and myself were looking to help in a career. VCOM's mission helped me to understand the needs of these patients and to provide them with excellent medical care.
Was there anything or anyone at VCOM that inspired you to become the physician you are today?
Dr. Bill Buice at AnMed Health was my general surgery attending. He had extremely high expectations of the medical students and always checked up on "our patients" because he fully believed medical students were a crucial part of the team. He kept those expectations on himself as well to be an excellent surgeon every single day. He gave me the best advice as a future surgeon, "you must have a greater drive to cure than to cut." This will forever resonate with me in my career. Dr. David Kyle is a family medicine physician in Anderson, SC. Dr. Kyle spent no less than 30 minutes with every single patient and would write two separate notes, a medical note and a note specifically for the patient so they could easily understand directions. He was so beloved by his patients, and no one would ever be upset even when he was sometimes running 2 hours behind.
How has the VCOM mission-inspired you during residency or in your practice?
When I went to medical school, I knew I wanted to help those in need, but I didn't know what the need meant. Going to VCOM and having ample opportunities to work in free clinics and rural medicine, I found the patients that truly needed us. In the world, some patients barely have any access to their next meal and even less access to proper medical care. These patients were what VCOM and myself were looking to help in a career. VCOM's mission helped me to understand the needs of these patients and to provide them with excellent medical care.
What is the best advice you can give a medical student to help them in their path towards being a physician?
Always study for the patient, not the examination. Board exams and tests are a small part of medicine and rarely have much to do with providing care to patients. When you're studying, always think about how this might present to you in a clinical scenario and how you'll help them once you're their doctor. That one key thing you learned might save someone's life one day.
What are your fondest memories about your time at VCOM?
SGA and COSGP national conferences. VCOM does an amazing job supporting medical student leaders and providing them with the resources they need to be successful. Having the opportunity to travel to national conferences and meeting other student leaders around the nation helped define my medical career. It will always be my favorite parts that helped me through the long days.
What career accomplishments are you most proud of?
Becoming the National Chair of COSGP and matching into ophthalmology. I can truly say that without VCOM, I would have never met these goals in my life.
When not working, what activities do you enjoy?
Watching minor league baseball, trying to become an excellent chef, pretending I'm good at woodworking, and playing with my dog, Maverick.