Legacies just beginning
Recent graduates reflect on their new careers and the support that funded their dreams
Feb. 22, 2021—In 2017, UF College of Medicine alumni banded together to take on a challenge: secure 100 gifts to support scholarships so UF medical and PA students can receive a world-class education regardless of financial status. With just one year left of the Legacy Challenge scholarship campaign, Doctor Gator spoke to a pair of former scholarship recipients turned new alumni about their first year in the field of medicine, the important lessons they learned at the UF College of Medicine and the support they received that helped them achieve their dreams:
Alexis Germain, M.D. ’20, former recipient of the Dean’s Preeminence Scholarship
Current position: emergency medicine resident at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia
Biggest takeaway from the first year in the field: “I was treating a patient in the emergency department when I noticed he had a big scar on his chest from a thoracotomy, a surgery to gain access to the thoracic organs. He told me his story about being shot in the chest and then coming here to Temple to be treated. Now he’s walking around like normal. When you see people in the ED and the trauma bay, you do your best for them in the moment, and they go their own way. You don’t often get to see the patient’s outcome, so it was really cool to see someone receive a high quality of care from my hospital and achieve that kind of recovery.”
The impact of UF College of Medicine training: “Coming from UF, I felt the ball was in my court. I had options so I could hone in on which residency program would be best for me. That was empowering. I felt very prepared to jump into things for my residency. There is an incredibly steep learning curve, but I was able to handle things pretty well.”
What scholarship support made possible: “Having financial security through scholarship support allowed me to go on a lot of interviews and away rotations in my fourth year. I was in Fresno for a month, then Portland for a month, which advanced my knowledge significantly.”
Advice for current students: “People can get caught up in going somewhere for their residency with name recognition, but trying to find where you’re going to be happy is most important. It makes a huge difference. As stressed out as your co-workers are and as sick as your patients are, it’s bearable when you’re in an environment where people are generally supportive.”
Christine Lalime, P.A. ’20, former recipient of the Jodi Jones Knauf Scholarship
Current position: interventional cardiology PA at Cardiovascular Solutions in Bradenton, Florida
A typical day in the life: “My days begin with rounding on my patients in the hospital, addressing their concerns and questions while also providing updates on their inpatient course. This involves efficient, effective collaboration with other providers and nurses involved in their care. After morning rounds are finished, I see patients in the outpatient setting, where I discuss recent test or procedure results and manage conditions such as hypertension, congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation and peripheral vascular disease.”
Biggest takeaway from the first year in the field: “I feel as though I have the most incredible team a new graduate could ever ask for. The support I receive on a daily basis is unparalleled, and I couldn’t imagine working for a better group.”
What scholarship support made possible: “Scholarship support allowed me to focus more on my training to become a great provider and less on the financial stress and burden of graduate school.”
Advice for current students: “Become comfortable with being uncomfortable, and be patient with yourself. It’s ok to feel like you don’t have all the answers. The real learning starts on day 1 of your first job.”