My Public Good Identity

In this ePortfolio I present artifacts that reflect my Public Good identity. Throughout the past two quarters, I have reflected on what it means to contribute to the public good and where I fit into that picture. I have a passion for healthcare, but within that field what sets me on fire is appreciating the social determinants of health to build a holistic view of a patient. 

I love science and up until a few years ago, was entirely focused on the biological aspects of disease. Then, I read Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder, a book about the work of Dr. Paul Farmer. I was especially interested in his notion of accompaniment in medicine, a word that embodies a sweeping definition of health care, approaching health as a journey rather than a series of appointments. It calls upon healthcare professionals to support citizens, communities, governments, and nations in the spirit of partnership.

Through coursework, career development, and personal reflection, I have come to appreciate the profound importance of understanding the whole person. That is, to listen to their whole story. The story includes their living situation, their ability to access healthy food, the intersectionality of their identities (including gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, etc.), how they arrange transportation on a daily basis, and even their zip code, and how all of these factors (and more) affect their health. My goal within healthcare is merge these two passions, my passion for science and my passion for social determinants of health, to become a doctor in Colorado and appreciate not just a list of symptoms, but the whole picture each patient presents.