me to treat not just the illness, but the whole person, while fostering long-term relationships that are truly rewarding. Practice Specifics Since completing residency, my career path has been dedicated to serving the community in various healthcare settings. I initially worked at the VA in Harlingen, Texas, providing care to veterans, which was a deeply enriching experience. Afterward, I transitioned into urgent care and occupational medicine, where I addressed a wide range of acute and work-related health issues. For four years, I also worked at a community health center, which was incredibly rewarding. This role allowed me to make a significant impact on underserved populations, but it eventually became overwhelming due to the constantly growing patient panel size, making it difficult to manage effectively. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I experienced burnout from the intense demands of healthcare work. This led me to reassess my career trajectory and ultimately decide to establish my own practice. The decision to go independent was driven by the desire for a better balance between my professional responsibilities and personal life. Direct primary care has provided me with the flexibility and autonomy to practice medicine in a way that aligns with my values, allowing for more meaningful interactions with patients and a focus on holistic care. Future of Family Medicine To ensure that there are enough family physicians to meet the growing demand, both nationally and at the state level, we must address the challenges in medical education, such as the high-cost deterring students from pursuing lower-paying specialties like family medicine, requires more scholarships and loan repayment programs. Moreover, increasing family medicine residency slots and ensuring they are well-funded can counteract residency training constraints that favor other specialties. Enhancing exposure to primary care settings early in medical education can spark interest in family medicine. Encouraging the pursuit of family medicine through mentorship from established physicians can inspire students, while emphasizing the potential for a balanced lifestyle and showcasing the profound impact family physicians have on their patients’ lives can attract those motivated by meaningful patient-centered care. By addressing these challenges and highlighting the benefits, we can foster a healthcare system that values and supports the essential role of family physicians in providing comprehensive, accessible care to all. desire to provide holistic care and build lasting relationships with my patients. During my training, I was drawn to the diversity of cases that family medicine offers, allowing me to treat patients across all stages of life, from pediatrics to geriatrics. The variety and continuity of care, coupled with the ability to manage both acute and chronic conditions, were aspects that deeply resonated with me. While I considered other specialties, such as cardiology and internal medicine, family medicine stood out because it allowed me to engage with entire families, providing comprehensive care for each member. I also appreciated the opportunity to practice preventive medicine and have an impact on community health. Ultimately, I chose family medicine because it allows 15
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