🩺 Pediatrician Primary Care Doctor
INTRODUCTION SECTION
Name, title, department:
Dr. Pediatrician
Current hospital/clinic/organization:
Memorial Hermann, Houston, Texas
(Currently practicing in private practice after completing residency in pediatrics)
BACKGROUND
1. What inspired you to pursue medicine or healthcare?
I want to be honest with you all, I am not going to sugarcoat anything, but I also do not want it to come across like I am bragging. I just want you to understand the reality of this path and hear what it is actually like from someone who went through it.
I grew up in Kansas and went to a public high school that was pretty competitive, similar to yours. I did not always know I wanted to go into medicine, but during my junior year of high school, I took an anatomy class and that was the moment everything clicked for me. Before that, I had always been a good student, but I was not really passionate about anything in particular. That class changed everything and made me realize that medicine was what I wanted to pursue.
Outside of academics, I was very involved in music. I played the viola at a high level and was a serious musician. I performed in advanced groups and was involved in all-state level activities. That part of my life was very important to me and also to my family, and it ended up playing a big role in my journey later on.
2. What was your path like, undergrad, med school, residency, and beyond?
In high school, once I decided on medicine, I became more focused on preparing for that path. During my junior and senior years, I took AP classes and tried to get as many core requirements completed as possible, especially in subjects like English and history, so I could focus more on science later. I was a strong student, around the top 5 percent of my class, but I was not valedictorian.
I attended Texas Christian University for my undergraduate education, where I received a scholarship for orchestra because of my viola background. I chose TCU not because it was specifically known for pre-med, but because I liked the size of the school and the strength of its music program. That is something important to understand, you do not need to go to a specific “top” school to become a doctor. You just need to perform well wherever you are.
During college, I was very busy balancing academics and extracurriculars. I took many science courses and genuinely enjoyed them, while also staying involved in orchestra. I did not take a gap year, but instead went straight through my education. One reason I was able to do that was because I completed research during a summer program and produced a basic science research poster, which helped strengthen my application.
As I progressed through college, I worked with advisors who guided students applying to medical school and helped me understand my readiness. During my junior and senior years, I prepared for the MCAT and completed applications.
I was accepted to medical school at UT San Antonio through the interview and matching process. I believe part of what helped me stand out was my personal statement, where I emphasized teamwork and collaboration, which aligned with what the program was looking for.
Medical school was extremely demanding. The first two years were focused on heavy studying and learning large amounts of material, often spending long hours in the library. The last two years were clinical, where I applied what I learned and developed patient communication skills.
After medical school, I completed a residency in pediatrics. Residency was one of the most difficult parts of the journey, with long hours, sometimes over 24 to 36 hours at a time, and a high level of responsibility. You are no longer just learning, you are actively making decisions and caring for patients.
3. Did you always know what specialty you wanted?
When I first entered medical school, I thought I wanted to go into cardiology because I loved anatomy, especially heart anatomy. However, through clinical experiences, I realized I enjoyed working with children more and preferred pediatrics.
She emphasized that this kind of change is completely normal. Many students do not know what they want to specialize in right away, and some even change their minds multiple times. She explained that people can switch specialties very late in the process, even up until the end of medical school or during residency. There are also internship years where students can explore different areas before committing.
Her advice was that it is okay to “jump around” and explore different options. You do not need to have everything figured out early, and your interests and goals can evolve over time.
4. What is your current work like?
I currently work in private practice and really enjoy it. I like building long-term relationships with patients and following their care over time. I enjoy continuity, seeing patients return, and being part of their ongoing health journey.
Compared to hospital-based work, private practice offers more autonomy. I have more control over my schedule, my staff, and how my practice operates. There is also less administrative oversight compared to larger hospital systems.
5. What challenges did you face along the way?
One of the biggest challenges was the intensity of residency training. The long hours and emotional demands made it very difficult at times. You are expected to perform at a high level even when you are exhausted, which can be overwhelming.
Another challenge is working with patients and families who may not always agree with medical advice. For example, discussions around vaccines can be difficult, and it requires strong communication skills to navigate those situations and find common ground.
Medicine is also emotionally challenging because you are constantly learning, making decisions, and sometimes questioning yourself.
6. What advice do you have for students interested in medicine?
The journey to becoming a doctor is a marathon. It takes many years of dedication, and you will likely have to make sacrifices along the way. It is important to stay focused and committed to your goals.
You should also find one activity that you are deeply involved in, something that shows dedication and passion. For her, that was music, but it can be anything meaningful to you.
Develop strong study habits early and figure out what works best for you. Balance is also important, and it will look different for everyone.
She also emphasized that your motivation should not be based only on money or status. Instead, it should come from a genuine desire to help people, curiosity about the human body, and an interest in problem-solving.
7. What skills are most important in medicine?
Medicine requires strong interpersonal and communication skills. You need to be able to connect with patients, build trust, and make them feel comfortable.
It also requires critical thinking and problem-solving, as you often need to evaluate multiple possibilities and determine the most likely diagnosis.
You must also be adaptable and open to continuous learning, since medicine is always evolving.
8. Final thoughts
If you decide at any point that medicine is not the right path for you, that is completely okay. Many people change directions and still find success.
She emphasized that there is flexibility within the journey, and that even if you start on the medical path, you are not locked into it forever.
However, if you stay committed, work hard, and remain focused, you can achieve your goal. This career requires dedication and resilience, but it is also incredibly rewarding and allows you to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives.
