Mentors For Life
TCOM alumni share wisdom, advice at Fourth Annual Specialty Round Table Night

Although he is just finishing his first year at TCOM, medical student Mike Stratton is already stressing about what to choose for his specialty.

"I've talked to some people who are further in school and they still have no idea what they are going to do," Stratton said. "They haven't had the opportunity to sit down and talk to a doctor one-on-one and answer all their questions."

Stratton, who is 25, married, and expecting his second child, worries about choosing a career field that will allow him to balance work and family life.

"One guy I know did general surgery at L.A. County Hospital, and he said there would be times when he would be in the hospital for three days straight and his wife would bring him clothes and bring him food and he never saw his son," Stratton said.

To find out what life is really like for a practicing osteopathic physician, Stratton brought a list of questions to TCOM's Fourth Annual Specialty Round Table Night March 26th to ask 24 physicians representing over a dozen specialties - including 18 TCOM alumni - about choosing a field of specialization, how to secure a residency and how to balance career and family life.

The event, which is a favorite of TCOM students and mentor physicians alike, was coordinated by the TCOM Alumni Association in collaboration with UNTHSC's Office of Institutional Advancement and the Department of Student Affairs.

The night began with a free buffet dinner in Luibel Hall and an official welcome by Dr. Marc B. Hahn, Dean of TCOM, who stressed to the students that this event was only a stepping stone to a career that involves life-long learning. TCOM alumni association resident director Dr. Niraj Mehta '01 and TCOM alumni association president Dr. Daniel W. Saylak '83 TCOM then introduced the "question-and-answer" panel seated at the front of the auditorium as Dr. Eric Groce '00 , Dr. , Dr. Sarah Matches '89 , Al Mathe´ '89 , Dr. Shelly VanScoyk '02 , Dr. Keith Vasenius '86 , and Antonio Prado-Gutierrez , a public health administrator. Stratton and about thirty other medical students then eagerly listened as the panel and other visiting physicians dispensed their wisdom.

"If you don't take care of your patients, someone else will." - Dr. Eric Groce '00 , family medicine.

Dr. Groce, who finished his residency a short eight and a half months ago, told students that practicing physicians must treat themselves as their most important patient. By putting your own health second, the mentors agreed, you will not be able to take care of anyone else, and your practice will suffer.

"It is important to go to a place that needs you." - Dr. Daniel W. Saylak '83 , emergency medicine.

Texas has an overwhelming geographical area that is medically underserved, and many doctors used the evening's event to urge students to explore options that are off the beaten path. Dr. Saylak said that serving as a physician in a smaller town - such as his experience in Bremond , Texas (population of 1,000) - provides a different type of training because you become a staple of the small, close-knit community.

"People ask when I am going to retire and I say NEVER!" - Dr. Lazerus Loeb, MD, allergy.

The physicians stressed one important theme to the medical students throughout the night: you have to love what you do. The passion for your specialty is what drives you to succeed, keeps you happy, and helps the important people in your life help create a supportive environment. Dr. Sarah Matches '89 gave a specific example of how she works as a part-time pediatrician for an elementary school from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. so she can spend more time at home with her children.

After the panel discussion in Luibel Hall, Stratton and the other medical students got to sit down for one-on-one discussions with a specialist in their field of interest. Because he is considering anesthesiology, Stratton spoke with Dr. Robert Clark '98 during this round table portion of the event.

"It was good because I had a bunch of questions about lifestyle and about his family. He has three kids - I've got number two on the way," Stratton said. "It was good to talk as far as the family goes and just to find out what life is like for him and what I can do."

After talking with Dr. Clark, Stratton felt less anxious about choosing a specialty.

"For me it was great because I actually got to sit down [with a practicing physician]. I've been thinking about anesthesia, but who knows," Stratton said.

"All I can do is read a book and maybe the book will lighten things up a little bit, but by sitting down and talking with them one-on-one it was really insightful."

The Office of Institutional Advancement would like to thank all of the people who helped mentor future DOs at the TCOM Fourth Annual Specialty Round Table Night!