KCU COM interview

Tell me about yourself

I grew up in Ferndale, Washington, which is in the northwest corner of Washington about 15 minutes from the border to Canada. I’m the youngest of four, with two brothers and one sister. Growing up in the PNW, I’ve been given the privilege to explore a lot of what nature has to offer. I’m in close proximity to the ocean as well as mountains, which has allowed me to get into scuba diving, snowboarding, mountain biking, fishing, and hiking. My many adventures have helped me become the person I am today, and how i’m always seeking out new experiences.

Greatest medicine discovery

If I had to choose the greatest discovery in medicine, I would probably choose penicillin and the development of antibiotics. What makes it stand out to me is how fundamentally it changed what physicians were capable of treating. Before antibiotics, infections that we now consider relatively manageable could be life-threatening, and physicians often had very few options beyond supportive care. The discovery of penicillin gave medicine the ability to directly target the cause of bacterial infections rather than simply treating their consequences.

“And I think its impact extends far beyond treating infections themselves. Antibiotics made many other advances in medicine safer and more feasible, including major surgery, cancer treatment, and transplantation. In that sense, antibiotics didn't just become another treatment—they helped create the foundation for much of modern medicine.

“What I also find interesting is that the discovery comes with a responsibility. Antibiotic resistance reminds us that even incredibly powerful medical advances have to be used thoughtfully. So for me, penicillin represents both the enormous potential of medicine to change outcomes and the responsibility physicians have to use those advances appropriately.”

Greatest modern day discovery

For a more modern discovery, I would choose CRISPR gene-editing technology. What fascinates me about CRISPR is that it gives us the ability to target specific sequences of DNA and potentially correct the underlying genetic cause of disease. Historically, a lot of medicine has focused on managing the consequences of disease, but CRISPR creates the possibility of actually addressing the source of certain genetic disorders. We've already seen that move from theory toward clinical medicine with CRISPR-based treatments for diseases such as sickle cell disease. What makes it especially exciting to me is that this could fundamentally change how we approach genetic disease. Instead of managing the effects of a mutation throughout a patient's life, we may eventually be able to correct the problem itself. I think that represents a really significant shift in what medicine is capable of doing.

Why medicine

• Initial spark: aunt diagnosed with stage 4 rectal cancer
  → saw long treatment course (surgery, chemo, radiation) and emotional toll on family
  → showed me medicine is not just fixing disease, it’s guiding people through uncertainty and fear.

• Witnessing physicians truly guide her throughout the process of getting back to health provided realization this is a position i could hold

• Hospital volunteering reinforced this as i began interacting with patients and visitors, with an understanding of how as a physician I would have a large impact on people’s lives

• with ability to oversee their entire journey back to health so they can get back to their lives and spend time with friends family or go on adventures again.

Why osteopathic medicine

• Drawn to idea of treating the whole person, not just symptoms

• Core DO principles that resonate:
  → body as an integrated system
  → prevention + lifestyle matter
  → structure/function connection

• Recognizing providing the highest quality of care goes deeper than diagnoses looking into lifestyle, habits, diet, stressors, or potential barriers in care

• Your real-world connections:

  • Food bank → health depends on resources, not just biology

  • Construction → people’s lives and responsibilities affect healthcare decisions

  • Hospital → emotional + social side of illness is always present
    → DO philosophy matches how I already view patients in real life

Volunteering impact

Volunteering impact

• Hospital volunteering:

  • small patient support tasks (water, washcloths, books)

  • emotional support through conversation during stressful moments

  • help staff with flow of unit work

• Food bank:

  • working with families experiencing food insecurity

  • seeing direct link between resources and health stability

• Key example:
  → staying with patient after discharge while waiting for transport
  → conversation helped reduce anxiety and uncertainty

• Big takeaway:
  → impact is often emotional support and dignity, not just clinical care

Why KCU COM

There are a few things that really attracted me to KCU. One is the curriculum. I like that KCU combines a strong foundation in the basic sciences with hands-on training in things like anatomy, physical diagnosis, OMM, and high-fidelity simulation. I also really like that students get early clinical exposure through community health initiatives, rather than waiting until the third year to start interacting with patients.

Then, during the clinical years, students get experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings and work as part of healthcare teams. I think that progression from building the scientific foundation, to practicing those skills, and then applying them with real patients is a really strong way to prepare for residency.

I was also drawn to the two campus locations. Kansas City interests me because of its large and diverse healthcare environment, while Joplin appeals to me because of its smaller cohort and connection to rural and regional communities. I grew up in a rural and suburban environment, so I think I could see myself fitting well in either setting.

Overall, I think KCU offers the combination of strong osteopathic education, progressive clinical training, and exposure to different communities that I’m looking for in a medical school.”

Patient who doesn’t trust medicine

• First approach:
  → pause and listen to understand concerns instead of correcting immediately

• Sources of mistrust you recognize:
  → cost of care, access barriers, past negative experiences
  → frustration with healthcare system structure

• Personal exposure:
  → construction + community work exposed you to people who delay care due to financial/family responsibilities

• Communication approach:
  → simple explanations, no jargon
  → acknowledge their concerns as valid
  → slow, respectful trust-building

• Closing:
  → goal is partnership with patient, not forcing agreement

Medical school is very demanding. What strategies will you use to manage the academic and emotional challenges you will face?

• Structure:
  → consistent study schedule, avoid falling behind, daily routine mindset

• Stress outlet:
  → weightlifting as consistent discipline + mental reset
  → teaches consistency even on difficult days

• Support system:
  → building relationships with classmates for shared learning + emotional support

• Mindset shift:
  → asking for help early instead of trying to push through alone

• Closing:
  → balance comes from structure, discipline, and support network working together

How would you contribute as a future osteopathic physician to making America Healthy again? Public health

• Focus on prevention and meeting patients where they are

• Seen in ED/volunteering:

  • chronic disease is common

  • delayed care and social factors affect outcomes (food, transport, access)

• As a physician:

  • focus on education and early intervention

  • build long-term relationships with patients

• Approach:

  • listen to barriers first

  • make recommendations realistic for each patient

• Goal:

  • help patients make sustainable changes, not just short-term fixes

Anything else about you that you would like us to know

• Construction background while pre-med

• Worked with diverse crews (including immigrants)

• Learned communication, trust, and teamwork in real-world settings

• Saw how work/family responsibilities can delay healthcare

• Helps me understand patients beyond assumptions

• Will carry into how I connect with patients as a physician

Your approach to a problem (think out loud)

1. Facts – Who is involved? What’s the issue?
2. Perspectives – Patient, family, team, ethics.
3. Options – Pros/cons using ethical principles.
4. Decision – “I would… because…”
5. Steps – Communicate, document, follow-up.

A difficult conversation you’ve had

One of the most challenging conversations I’ve had occurred while I was scribing for a physician who asked whether I believed healthcare is a right or a privilege. I immediately said it was a right, because I’ve always believed that everyone deserves access to care. He then shared a perspective that challenged me—he argued that most rights do not require someone else’s time or labour, whereas healthcare always does. For example, your right to freely speak only takes your own effort.

What made the conversation difficult was that it confronted a value I felt strongly about. This experience taught me how important it is to stay open to different viewpoints, especially when they challenge my own. It reminded me that difficult conversations are not about proving a point—they’re about understanding values and communicating respectfully.

Patient experience that reaffirmed or showed why medicine?

• Talk about situation walking visitor to car to receive belongings

• Difficult period in her life, uncertainty

• traveled from friday harbor

• related with her on the islands and scuba diving

• She talked about how much she appreciates the nurses, physicians and the rest of the team 

• Helped to build trust and comfort

• reaffirmed why i want to be a physician

Describe a time you faced adversity and how you overcame it.

• Worked construction in high school and college → physically demanding, developed grit

• Faced skepticism from coworkers about pursuing medicine → challenged my confidence

• Learned to stay disciplined, take criticism without discouragement, and maintain focus on goals

• Developed resilience → holding on to purpose, not just enduring challenges

• Lessons applied broadly to school, work, and life challenges

Weakness

• Area for improvement: Initially taking criticism personally

• Past example: Construction work → frustrated when supervisor suggested technique improvements

• Learned to reframe feedback as a growth opportunity, not a reflection of ability

• Focus on the value behind feedback and that it comes from wanting to help me succeed

• Result: Embracing feedback improves skills and confidence

• Continuing to develop this mindset as a vital skill for becoming a physician

Leadership experiences

• Hospital volunteering: Trained and guided new volunteers → patient interaction, hospital workflow

• Construction work: Led new hires → taught siding installation, tool use, and safety protocols

• Landscaping business: Managed projects and clients → ensured timely completion and quality work

• Sonic Drive-In: Trained team members → cooking techniques, customer service, fostering supportive environment

• Skills developed: Teaching, clear communication, teamwork with diverse personalities and skill levels

Tell me about a failure

• Context: Group project in protein engineering class on functionalizing exosomes for drug delivery

• Challenge: One teammate did not contribute despite multiple attempts to involve her

• Immediate reaction: Felt frustrated; took frustration out on her after class

• Reflection: Recognized this was inappropriate; should have handled the situation with empathy and composure

• Lesson learned: Importance of proactive communication, patience, and managing emotions in group settings

What are the three most important qualities of a physician?

The three most important qualities of a physician are empathy, adaptability, and communication.

• Empathy: Understand patients’ experiences and emotions → build trust and provide compassionate care

• Adaptability: Adjust to new challenges, evolving knowledge, and diverse patient needs → deliver effective care in dynamic situations

• Communication: Clearly explain medical information and collaborate with teams → prevent misunderstandings and improve outcomes

• Overall: Together, these qualities enable holistic, patient-centered care and effective teamwork

What are your greatest strengths?

• Adaptability – Learned to stay calm and problem-solve in unpredictable situations (scuba diving, construction, volunteering, ER work).

• Work Ethic – Built discipline and persistence through academics and years of construction work; committed to finishing tasks even under pressure.

• Empathetic Communication – Strong listener who adapts communication to others’ needs, building trust and collaboration with patients and peers.

How do you handle stress and pressure?

• Stay focused & adaptable – Learned through construction, volunteering, scuba diving, and snowboarding.

• Calm decision-making – Step back, assess, prioritize, and approach challenges with a solution-oriented mindset.

• Resilience – View stress as natural and manageable with the right perspective.

• Self-care – Exercise and balanced lifestyle help maintain mental and emotional well-being under pressure.

How would your friends describe you? Your supervisors/professors?

Friends: They’d describe me as adventurous, always seeking new opportunities to connect with nature—whether hiking into the backcountry, camping under the stars, or snowboarding. They’d also say I’m caring, making others feel comfortable, and that I bring humor to lighten the mood.

Mentors/Professors/Supervisors: They’d highlight my self-discipline, work ethic, and willingness to put in the effort to reach goals. They’d also describe me as respectful, proactive, and unafraid to ask questions to ensure the best outcome.

What role should physicians play in improving the healthcare system?

While physicians cannot solve systemic problems alone, we play a critical role in identifying gaps in care and advocating for patient-centered solutions. Because we work directly with patients, we are uniquely positioned to see how policies and workflows affect real lives.

I believe physicians should engage in quality improvement, collaborate with interprofessional teams, and advocate for changes that reduce barriers to care. Even small actions—such as improving communication, coordinating resources, or addressing social needs—can have meaningful impact when scaled across a system.

What is the biggest problem with medicine today?

I think one of the biggest problems in medicine today is how restrictive insurance requirements can be. I’ve seen situations where a treatment, test, or medication that a physician believes is best for the patient isn’t covered because the patient doesn’t meet a very specific criterion. This forces providers to either jump through multiple hoops to justify care or to find an alternative that may not be the ideal option.

For patients, this can be incredibly frustrating—sometimes even delaying care or making it unaffordable. And for physicians, it creates extra stress and takes time away from focusing on patients. In my experience scribing, I’ve seen how insurance considerations shape decision-making, even when everyone knows what the patient really needs.

I think addressing this issue—whether through policy reform, improved coverage flexibility, or stronger advocacy—would help align the healthcare system more closely with its primary goal: getting patients the care they need, when they need it.