Please share a meaningful experience you have had working or volunteering in the health professional

field or a time in your past in which you were responsible for the care and well-being of someone else.
What did you learn from this as it relates to becoming a physician. (Limit: 350 words)

The Partnership Community Health Center is a federally qualified health center in Appleton, WI,
with mission is to improve the health status of the medically underserved. The clinic provides
comprehensive primary care services, oral health, behavioral health, and pediatrics. In August of 2019, I
was able to shadow Dr. Beutler, a practicing physician as well as the Medical Director at PCHC. When I
shadowed Dr. Beutler, she demonstrated how to interact with patients and their families by showing
both confidence and humility. She took the time to actively listen to her patients, show empathy, and
truly make an impact on their health. My current goal as a physician is to unite traditional medicine,
public health, and primary prevention methods to alleviate health disparities and address Social
Determinants of Health. A major challenge for all physicians to provide the best medical care are SDOH. I
look to address SDOH as Dr. Beutler has. She took the extra time to effectively listen to her patients,
interact with them each differently to be most effective, fulfill mundane tasks, and truly made an impact
on those around her. This experience gave me firsthand insight into the socioeconomic impact on
people’s health as well as the role and responsibilities of a physician leader in a clinic practice. My
education at the University of South Carolina in public health has taught me of all the health disparities
that plague populations, why they are occurring, as well as strategies on how to alleviate these issues.
To see the acknowledgement of situations such as food deserts, insurance coverage, access to
healthcare, a lack of trust with health professionals, housing, and so many more that contribute to
health status addressed in this FQHC was enlightening and encouraging for my own goals. Dr. Beutler
showed what a fulfilling and impactful career can look like, and I cannot wait to implement what I have
learned from her. This experience has reaffirmed my desires to be the difference in the patients and
communities I will serve.