"My public health education has helped me look at patient situations from a different perspective."
The following is an interview from when Valerie was a student in the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at ³ûÄñÊÓƵ.
Hometown: Crystal Lake, Illinois
Undergraduate degree: Illinois Wesleyan University, Bachelor of Science in Biology
What inspired you to pursue a healthcare career?
Growing up, my grandma was always very sick and in the hospital. Her constant hospital admissions inspired me to become a physician so I could better care for patients like her and also support patients’ families – something I felt physicians could have done better for my grandma.
How did your background and history factor into your career choice?
I am the first in my family to attend graduate school and become a physician. My older and younger sister are both ICU nurses and work together in the same unit. I would say that our grandma was a huge inspiration for all our career aspirations. My parents always instilled a strong work ethic and encouraged us to chase our dreams.
Why did you decide to attend ³ûÄñÊÓƵ?
I decided to attend ³ûÄñÊÓƵ after working as a medical scribe with ³ûÄñÊÓƵ alumni, admiring their bedside manner, and looking up to them as role models. I looked up to these physicians not only for how knowledgeable they were but also because they were always willing to take the time to explain a diagnosis or plan of care to a patient and their family and answer all of their questions.
What about a ³ûÄñÊÓƵ education do you want to carry forward in your career?
I want to carry forward and embrace my dual degree education - D.O. and M.P.H. - and especially my public health training. My public health education has helped me look at patient situations from a different perspective and consider other factors that may be contributing to my patient’s health and ability to care for themselves.
