1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.  My name is Caitland and I am a junior in college. I am majoring in public health with an emphasis on health promotion and minoring in communication disorders with a pre-med focus. I come from a family of healthcare professionals and have always had an innate love for medicine, innovation and science.

Outside of medicine, I am your typical girly-girl. I love all things beauty and fashion related which I hope one day, I can take those passions and implement them into my practice as a physician. I recently created my own personal blog that details a variety of things from lifestyle, beauty, fashion, travel and of course, my journey towards medical school.

2. Who was your favorite teacher in school and how did he or she impact you?  I met my favorite teacher during my freshmen year of college. Dr. Alicia Battle has hands down been one of the most incredible and influential people that I have ever met. She has helped me in ways that goes way beyond a classroom. Dr. Battle has allowed me to explore my interests in medicine and to major in something that I am actually interested in learning about. She has welcomed me with open arms and has given me so many different opportunities. Her passion for what she does is infectious and radiates onto those around her.

Although not a typical “teacher”, I have had the pleasure of working with Dr. Ned Laff. I consider him to be my own personal teacher when it comes to my medical school journey. Dr. Laff has impacted my life probably more than any other teacher I’ve had, alongside Dr. Battle. Coincidentally, I met Dr. Laff through Dr. Battle last fall and I could not be more thankful for that first meeting. He has taught me so much when it comes to the medical school application process or the “game” as he calls it. He has also given me so many great opportunities that helped solidify my dream to become a doctor. I am grateful to have two of the best mentors in the entire world.

3. When did you first decide you wanted to become a doctor and why?  For me, it wasn’t a clear “ah ha” moment that made me decide to be a doctor. It was an accumulation of different things that has occurred during my lifetime that solidified my decision to become a physician.

I grew up in a family of medical professionals and that is where my initial interest in science/medicine came from. Growing up my mom worked in the hospital as a rehab nurse but has since then become the director of nursing for an assisted living community. My dad worked in the emergency room for most of my childhood but he is also a part of a forward surgical team in the US Army that has deployed to Afghanistan twice and traveled all over the world. He also works for Flight for Life as a flight nurse. I grew up hearing stories that can’t be heard anywhere else and it really stuck with me throughout the years.

I also dealt with a lot of different injuries from being a gymnast my entire life and then moving onto cheerleading in high school. I was seen by different doctors for injuries and it was amazing how they could “fix” me. I’ve also had the opportunity to volunteer at a community health clinic that provides healthcare to low income, uninsured individuals and families at no cost. That experience really opened my eyes to a side of healthcare that I did not know existed.

That final moment that really solidified my dreams to become a physician happened not too long ago. I started working in the emergency room as a medical scribe which allows me to work alongside physicians. I am able to be in the room with the doctor when he/she goes to see a patient. It has allowed me to see things that I have only heard in stories and it is so different when you see these things for yourself. That first day working in the emergency room is an experience that I can’t even describe. I don’t think there is just one reason for wanting to become a doctor. For me, It is for every reason.

4. What area of medicine are you interested in?  As of now, I am really interested in reconstruction/plastic surgery, trauma surgery and dermatology. I know this may change as I go into medical school so I am keeping an open mind. I believe that no matter what specialty I get into that I will still be making a difference in people’s lives.

5. What’s the coolest experience you’ve had so far on your premedical journey?  Thus far my coolest experience on my premedical journey has to be working in the emergency room as a medical scribe. I get to work alongside physicians almost everyday in a clinical setting and see that patient-physician interaction. I also get to complete physicians charting which allows me to get familiar with different terminology, medications, orders and diagnosis. I’m able to see why the physician made the decision that they made and how it is going to help the patient. It is also cool because I’m learning so much outside of what my job entails. Just by listening to the physicians and nurses talk has taught me so much outside of the cases that we see. It has hands down been one of the best experiences in my entire life.

6. What is your favorite book?  My favorite book is The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.

7. Tell us one thing interesting about you that most people don’t know.  I love giving back and helping those that are in need. Through volunteering, donating blood or even just spreading my knowledge on things I have learned- I love it all. Outside of becoming a doctor, I hope to complete as many medical mission trips that I can. I think it is so important to provide access to healthcare in underserved communities around the world. Helping to provide health, wellness and quality of life with those populations that are in need. 

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