Members of the IUSM Class of '97 arrived in 74 cities across the US this summer to begin their first year of residency. The 260 graduates are scattered among urban metropolises and small towns from coast to coast. More than half will remain in Indiana - both in rural and urban areas. Together they represent every major area of medicine, and nearly 60 percent will enter primary care.
For Ann Wojtalik, MD, her year off from medical school confirmed her desire to become a pediatrician. During that time she worked with a pediatrician and felt a real calling to help kids. Now, two years later, Dr. Wojtalik is pursuing her goal as a pediatrics resident at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. At the same time, Dr. Wojtalik has gained extensive experience in motherhood. Cassia, age four, Luke, age two, and Sophia, five months, were born to Dr. Wojtalik and her husband Chris while she was in medical school.
Dr. Wojtalik says communication, her husband's flexibility and their extended family's support are the keys to successfully managing such a hectic lifestyle. "Whenever things get too stressful, Chris and I re-evaluate. But we've both always thought I was doing the right thing," she says. She points out that while it's hard to balance a family, it's also hard to get through medical school without a family support system. And, she adds, "When you like what you're doing, it's easy to learn."
Dr. Wojtalik, who recently took time off after Sophia was born, is now beginning her residency on a part-time schedule. She hopes she can be a mentor to other students and residents who are juggling personal responsibilities.
Another '97 graduate, Chantal Miller, MD, believes the support and nurturing by people in her hometown of Gary helped her reach her goal of becoming a doctor. It was Dr. Miller's interaction with physicians and health care professionals at St. Mary's Medical Center where she was a volunteer that helped her decide on a career in medicine. She believes that being a mentor and encouraging young people are important, since youth are the future of our communities. "All kids need that kind of support," says Dr. Miller. After completing her residency at Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center, she looks forward to returning to Gary, where she will join the pediatric practice of Steve Simpson, MD ('74). She hopes to use her influence as a physician to serve the community and make a difference. "A good medical practice involves more than being a good physician," she says. "People need to be dedicated to their community."
Dr. Miller was a recipient of the Indiana Primary Care Scholarship, which paid for her medical education in return for her commitment to practice primary care in an underserved area of the state for at least four years. She also received a scholarship from the Methodist Hospital of Gary Foundation with the stipulation that she return to Gary to practice.
Helping others be their best was also a driving force behind 1997 graduate Dr. David Magnusen's choice of career. He became convinced in high school that medicine was the right career. Later, as a medical student, he heard Randall Braddom, MD, chairman of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at IUSM, define this specialty as dealing with the function of the person by helping them achieve their maximum potential. "I thought that's the way medicine should be," he says. It also parallels his personal philosophy of always achieving his maximum potential.
A native of Elkhart, IN, Dr. Magnusen is doing his residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at The Ohio State University in Columbus. His severe hearing loss led him to consider a career in otolaryngology, but surgery presented a problem since it was hard for him to hear people through their surgical masks. He jokes that transparent surgical masks would solve the problem.
"I don't believe in the word can't," Dr. Magnusen says. "Maybe you don't do something as well, but to say can't, is a defeatist attitude." He describes any disability as something you learn to deal with and make adaptations for as necessary. When discussing the type of doctor he wants to be, Dr. Magnusen remembers his undergraduate biology professor at IU whom he idolized. "He always had time for his students, and that's the type of doctor I want to be. I always want to put my patients first, take time to answer their questions, and let them know they're important to me."
In the future Dr. Magnusen also hopes to work with children. A fourth-year medical school rotation in pediatric endocrinology allowed him to work at a summer camp for children with diabetes, which made a lasting impression. He would like to get involved with Special Olympics or other camps for kids with disabilities. With his positive attitude, Dr. Magnusen should have a great impact on children.
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