duties. Our organization has continued to thrive and grow, and after working at Sacred Circle for two years, I moved into the medical officer role. This has meant even more administrative work and less patient time, but I still enjoy seeing patients every week, either in Salt Lake or in Ibapah on the Goshute Reservation. Advice For Those Pursuing a Similar Path I think many students start out with an idealistic view of medicine, and that can get lost over time with the burden of loans, overwork and stress. Working at a community health center or tribal clinic can really help keep a physician connected to some of those goals and ideals that really keep the perspective of why we chose to work in the medical field. These clinics also allow us to practice full-spectrum family medicine that keeps things interesting and challenging. Working with patients from different cultural backgrounds and different life experiences truly is a rewarding and expansive experience. Sacred Circle and Pain Management This is our second year running the Utah Pain Summit. Sacred Circle has a multidisciplinary pain management program, and we sometimes wish we could call it a wellness program because it focuses on so much more than pain. Patients in the pain management program participate in physical therapy, pain management groups, and behavioral health sessions, along with medical management. Our physical therapy director, Lindsay Roper, is very committed to the program and our Pain Summit, which will really talk about stress, sleep and many of the other co-factors that contribute to pain. We are really excited to offer this again! Meeting the Need for More Family Physicians We need to create better pipeline programs that start working with rural and urban underserved students to get them involved and interested in medicine. There needs to be funding for educational and research opportunities from an early age. I have been impressed with the NARI program (Native American Research Internship) at the University of Utah, which is making a big difference. Speaking Up for Family Medicine I am a strong believer in physicians making a difference through organized medicine — meaning participating in groups like the UAFP so that their views can be represented collectively. I have been involved in advocacy off and on over the years; sometimes, it is disheartening, and other times it is effective and fulfilling. I have seen important changes happen that can protect physicians and improve the health of our community. 19 |
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTg3NDExNQ==