“By interacting with other LGBTQ+ patients as well as other LGBTQ+ colleagues I have been able to feel more comfortable in my own skin, being more open about being a member of the LGBTQ+ community than I have been in the past.”
How has your experience working with the LGBTQ+ community shaped you into the physician you are today?
I believe the major thing that working with the LGBTQ+ community has shown me is how diverse the population that we work with is. It has shown me that we all come from different places and have different experiences and that we need to consider that when we approach our patients and come up with plans of treatment. It’s made me more aware of different religions, and personal identification, and has shown me that medicine is not a one size fits all profession, and then we should apply this not only to our LGBTQ+ community but also to every patient that we see. And lastly on a personal note, by interacting with other LGBTQ+ patients as well as other LGBTQ plus colleagues I have been able to feel more comfortable in my own skin, being more open about being a member of the LGBTQ+ community than I have been in the past.
What advice would you give to current LGBTQ+ Midwestern University students?
I would recommend getting involved in the on-campus pride club. I gained some great friends and experiences during my time as a member of the pride club. It gave me experience in leadership, invaluable connections, and a great sense of community not only in medicine but also in the LGBTQ+ community. I would also recommend embracing your identity and the LGBTQ+ community when applying for residencies, as it can open doors that you wouldn’t expect.
During your time as a student, what was your role on the PRIDE Club, and how did being a part of the club enhance your Midwestern University experience?
During my time as a first-year student I was a member mainly just going to the meetings and the events that were planned by my superiors, however my second year I was a member of the board which was great because it gave me some experience in leadership while also being able to plan some events and do community outreach. I think it enhanced my Midwestern University experience and feel more included in the LGBTQ+ community and develop close friends throughout that experience that I still have today. It was a nice escape from the constant setting that you had as a second-year medical student. I am very glad that I joined my first year and continue to be active throughout all four years.
How can MWU continue to support the LGBTQ+ community and students within it?
I think having full support from the administration of the school and maintaining the pride club is a great step toward continuing to support the LGBTQ+ community. Having the pride club being front and center with the other clubs of the University was a great sign of support individually as well as the LGBTQ+ community. I think getting the alumni more involved is also a great idea, especially the ones that are in Chicago. More fundraisers for LGBTQ+ organizations and charities would be great. I also think having more of the LGBTQ+ issues that we see in Madison be included in the curriculum.
