Leading by example
Alum James Welch, M.D. ’82, inspires the next generation as a physician and a father
June 7, 2018 — When James Welch, M.D. ’82, crossed the stage during last month’s UF College of Medicine commencement ceremony, emotion played around his eyes as a smile spread across his cheeks. He took his place behind his son, Daniel Welch, M.D. ’18, and lifted the green ceremonial hood onto Daniel’s shoulders.
Daniel Welch, who will soon begin a radiology residency at the University of Nebraska, considers the moment as a supremely meaningful symbol of the impact his father’s legacy has left on his own life.
“My dad has been an excellent role model as a physician, but more importantly, as a person,” Welch says. “I admire how my parents could balance demanding careers with being great parents. I’ve come to appreciate that more as I’ve seen how much a medical career can impact someone’s life.”
James Welch, M.D. ’82, places the ceremonial hood onto his son Daniel’s shoulders at the UF College of Medicine commencement ceremony May 19.
Photo by Mindy C. Miller
James Welch, a urologist with Orlando Urology Associates, has instilled a love for medicine in his two children, Daniel and Emily, a third-year student at the UF College of Medicine. Welch says his children make him burst with joy at every step.
“My kids joined the family business,” he says. “Whether they go into my line of work or any line of work, I will be just as proud. When they achieve accomplishments, I feel like I’ve done my job. Once you have children, you want them to be happy, safe and successful, even more than your own welfare or happiness.”
Together with his wife, pediatric anesthesiologist Rebecca Welch, M.D., Welch introduced his children to the hospital setting at a young age.
“Growing up as kids of two physicians, they got pretty comfortable being in the hospital,” he recalls. “I would bring dinner and the kids to the call room when Becky had to work overnights.”
Emily Welch, who plans to pursue emergency medicine after graduating, says her earliest memories involve eating popsicles in the physician area of the emergency room. When her dad came home from work, a briefcase full of charts in tow, she would sneak looks, attempting to decipher what his work was all about. Most of the time, however, time with her dad was spent laughing and telling jokes.
“My dad and I joke all the time that we’re the same person. He’s a serious man when he needs to be, but there’s never been a time when he’s not able to make me laugh, especially when I really need it,” she says. “Our relationship has always been one of inside jokes and Monty Python quotes. I respect my dad because he has the ability to be both very intellectual and very empathetic at the same time.”
When his two children each told him of their future plans to become physicians, Welch made sure they understood the privilege and responsibility that accompany the profession.
“I told them they’re going to have their heads buried in the books. They’re going to work long nights while their friends are out having fun,” he says. “There’s a great deal of time commitment and delayed gratification. It’s a difficult lifestyle, and they saw it first-hand. They knew Dad couldn’t come to a soccer game because he was on call. But we always devoted a lot of time to the kids. They were a priority.”
Daniel Welch says his father has taught him many lessons about perseverance and communication, lessons he will carry with him as he begins his career.
The Welch family celebrates after the UF College of Medicine commencement ceremony at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. From left to right: Emily, Daniel, Rebecca and James.
Photo courtesy of the Welch family
“My dad was the one who taught me how to work hard and how to have a good attitude in the face of challenges,” he says. “From the way he talks to his patients, even on the phone, you can tell how much he cares. He’s very empathetic and communicates clearly. I could tell early on how important those qualities were to the profession.”
Of course, there is much a father can learn from his children as well. Welch recalls listening with wonder as his children explained to him the ins and outs of genetics, a course that wasn’t yet offered when Welch attended the UF College of Medicine.
“My kids talk to me, and I say, ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about,’” Welch says. “They say, ‘Gosh, Dad, you’re a dinosaur.’ They’re smarter than me.”
Emily Welch says ever since the days of their father-daughter YMCA camping trips, her dad has been a continuous source of inspiration and support.
“My dad has taught my brother and me since we were young that we should expect the best of ourselves. He told us that if we’ve given a task our best effort, we should be proud of it,” she says. “He expects people to put forth their best effort, and he really tries to do the same in his daily life.”
