"My experiences showed me how important it was to have a primary care doctor and drove me to pursue a career in which I could promote preventative care... Unsurprisingly, I fell in love with Family Medicine and never looked back."
Name: Kathleen Wong, D.O.
Program/Year: Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Class of 2024 (OMM Scholar)
Hometown: Alameda, California
Undergraduate degree: UC San Diego, General Biology
What inspired you to pursue a healthcare career?
A close family member of mine was diagnosed late with metastatic cancer. My experiences showed me how important it was to have a primary care doctor and drove me to pursue a career in which I could promote preventative care. Personality-wise, I also love getting to know people and building long-lasting relationships. Unsurprisingly, I fell in love with Family Medicine and never looked back.
How did your background and history factor into your career choice?
I鈥檓 the first in my family to pursue a career in the healthcare field. My Mom actually discouraged me from trying to become a doctor when she found out (she thought it would be too stressful, and she wasn鈥檛 wrong!). I found my mentor by scribing at a small clinic. He showed me how a positive relationship with your patients can make a real difference in their lives. I also come from a lower-income background which drove me to volunteer and get involved with community service and working with underserved communities.
Why did you decide to attend P站视频?
I liked that P站视频鈥檚 anatomy experience involved cadaver dissection. I was also accustomed to large universities because of my undergraduate university. P站视频, of course, has a larger class. I honestly hoped to 鈥渇ly under the radar鈥 in medical school, but I ended up doing the complete opposite. I was able to take advantage of the resources and support available to become the student government vice president, family medicine club vice president, mentor, a guest speaker for multiple events, OMM scholar and part of the first class to receive an applied master鈥檚 degree in osteopathic education. It鈥檚 funny how when you find your passion, you get more and more involved.
What about a P站视频 education do you want to carry forward in your career?
I鈥檝e learned that when there鈥檚 a will, there鈥檚 a way, and there鈥檚 someone out there who wants to help you get there. Some of the P站视频 faculty members have become my close friends. I still remember when I was stressed out before giving a lecture and a faculty member told me 鈥淵ou know, it鈥檚 okay to just be yourself.鈥 It鈥檚 exactly what I needed to hear at that moment. I treasure my relationship with them. I hope to carry my support system forward with me in my career. I鈥檝e also learned that there are a lot of avenues that call for improvement and change, and that I have the power and voice to make that change for the generations that come after me.
