It still surprises me how much learning to interpret text helps me to analyze symptoms, and make diagnoses.
When did you graduate from BYU?
2001
What is your job/position? And how would you describe what you do in that job/position?
I am a Family Medicine Doctor and an Associate Professor of Medicine for UVA medical school.
Describe the path that you took from your BYU English degree to your current career, highlighting the important realizations and turning points that paved the path for you.
I knew early on in my undergraduate career, that I was likely going to pursue a medical degree. However, English had always been my first passion. I wanted to become the best writer I could be, and spend time in that discipline, before my path turned more completely to science. My semesters were still fairly packed, as I needed to pursue a minor in chemistry to fill my premed requirements. I applied to medical school during my senior year at BYU, and was accepted to Georgetown University. I matriculated at Georgetown the fall after I graduated from BYU.
What are the specific skills that you cultivated as an English major that you now use in your professional life? And how do you use those skills in ways that set you apart from your colleagues?
My writing skills, and ability to ‘interpret the text’, are used constantly. Having a strong handle on writing as a means of communication is a strong bridge builder between my patients/specialists and me. I also teach courses to medical students on ‘narrative medicine’, where I directly incorporate the power of understanding story, into the clinical setting. It is always the highest rated lecture of the clerkship—students really respond to so many of the things I learned while studying English. I tell my kids constantly as they are getting older—being a great writer opens doors. I don’t think there is anything you can take from your education that is more paramount. Additionally, the critical thinking skills i learned help me to understand people, and synthesize a lot of information to make a diagnosis.
What are some of the surprising ways in which your English degree has helped you in your life?
As noted above, I think it still surprises me how much learning to interpret text, helps me to analyze symptoms, and make diagnoses. The work of Rita Charon has helped me to see how much the work of understanding story translates to other fields, like medicine.
What do you wish you had known as an English major? Is there any advice you'd like to share with current students?
That it was definitely the right choice for me, and that I would never regret that decision! Enjoy the difficult work of writing, and rewriting! It is making you better.
Contact:
katehare@gmail.com