Resident Testimonials
Russell McCulloh, MD
Med/Peds
Why did you choose the profession of medicine and your specialty?
I chose it after careful study and due to prior experiences with health care in
my volunteer activities. It seemed to suit my personality as well. I chose Med/Peds
due to its broad array of clinical scenarios and conditions I would encounter, my
opportunities for a variety of different practice types, and because of the experience
I had working with Med/Peds residents as a student.
Why did you choose University of Missouri Health Care for your residency or fellowship?
The programs were sound, the clinical variety was sufficient without coming at the
expense of primary care training, the community is wonderful and I liked the people
with whom I would be working.
What do you enjoy the most about being a resident/fellow at University of Missouri
Health Care?
I enjoy working with the faculty, staff and fellow residents at this institution.
I love the broad variety of opportunities to get involved in the hospital and community.
Secondarily, I owned a house in the community and my wife had a job in town as well.
Do you have any advice for future residents/fellows?
Get involved in hospital committees and get involved in the community in some way.
Have friends. If all you are is a resident, then you will be boring and unhappy.
Is there anything else you would like to tell a future resident or fellow regarding
their training here at University of Missouri Health Care?
In Columbia and at UMHC there are infinite chances and ways to succeed.
Jeremy Lough, MD
Otolaryngology
Why did you choose the profession of medicine and your specialty?
While serving the indigent people of South America, I became severely ill with an
abdominal condition. I felt alone, isolated and scared, as I found myself sicker
than I had ever been and far away from modern medical care. By experiencing the
role of the patient I first realized the need for healthcare, inspiring me to become
a physician. During the first years of medical school I desperately sought my niche
in medicine, as all medical students do. I was quickly drawn to otolaryngology.
As a first-year student head and neck anatomy intrigued me while I studied the complex
relationships between structures. I also found myself attracted to otolaryngology
for the wide array of patients, as well as the broad mixture of specialties that
provide a subject material that spans multiple organ systems.
Why did you choose University of Missouri Health Care for your residency or fellowship?
When considering a residency program, I was looking for a program with positive
role models and a supportive inspirational environment. The University of Missouri
has a reputation as a friendly learning environment with nationally recognized faculty.
Currently, new surgical towers are being constructed to support the
tremendous growth of the surgical departments. I was also looking for support for
my wife and children. Moving to Columbia would allow me to afford a new home for
my family within minutes of the medical center, and my wife did not need to obtain
a job for additional financial support. Columbia provides numerous nearby parks
that are perfect for family activities, as well as a clean, secure environment to
raise children.
What do you enjoy the most about being a resident/fellow at University of Missouri
Health Care?
I enjoy going to the hospital to work with other residents and attendings who maintain
high ethical and moral standards, and similar goals as I do in patient care. I enjoy
knowing my family is safe and living in a great community. I enjoy the short commute
that comes from living close to the hospital. I enjoy the friendly downtown with
its numerous small band venous and affordable restaurants. Lastly, I enjoy my relationship
with the community outside of medicine that I have established through my local
church.
Can you describe an experience that has had a lasting effect on you as a physician
here at University of Missouri Health Care?
One of my early rotations as an intern exposed me to ICU care. I was terrified to
find myself caring for a certain critically ill patient who was well known to the
department after months in the hospital. I had the privilege to see him recover
and eventually leave for home. It inspired me to see this man's fight for life and
to eventually experience his personality in the days before he left. I felt a part
of something greater than myself or medicine.
How do you like living in Columbia? What can you tell me about home life (schools,
clubs, organizations) that you may be involved with in Columbia?
Coming from San Antonio, my wife was a little apprehensive of moving to a place
with four seasons like Columbia. However, we have found the environment here extremely
inviting. The University radiates a vibrant youthful sentiment that permeates the
city. It's small with a clean, safe downtown area that is frequently the setting
for family-friendly events and parades. We did not have to worry about paying for
private schooling with the excellent public schools that are found here. Currently,
my children are involved in preschool co-op programs where we have grown close to
many of the other parents. Lastly, religion is well represented in Columbia and
we felt immediately welcome in our local church.
What are some of your future goals or plans?
My goals include mastering the major surgeries in the various fields of otolaryngology.
I anticipate that this program will give me the depth of training required to become
proficient in all the major subspecialties of otolaryngology. However, if I develop
a specific interest that I feel I did not get enough exposure, I may consider a
fellowship. I am grateful for the many mentors who have given me direction and advice
in my life. I would like to return some of what has been given me by remaining connected
to a teaching program.
Do you have any advice for future residents/fellows?
Advocate for yourself and your own goals within medicine. This is your time to become
the physician that you have visioned. Don't let outside influences sway you from
your goal. Study topics that are relevant and inspirational to you, and treat patients
in the manner that best suits you and your personality. Always keep the patients
interests first and maintain a firm grip on the compassion that inspired your initial
interest in medicine.
Moss Fenberg, MD
Ophthalmology
Why did you choose the profession of medicine and your specialty?
Work is work, in my mind what we chose to do with our time is more a matter of preference than principle. And so, chosing to become a physician has little to do with the prestige, or pedestal-placement we receive. I personally wanted to interact with others in their hour of need. I wanted to possess a skill set necessary and helpful to my fellow man. Ophthalmology fit the bill, and more importantly, it fit my lifestyle desires as well.
Why did you choose University of Missouri Health Care for your residency or fellowship?
I was here for less than 18 hrs on interview night/day. Pretty amazing that we are expected to make such an important decision based on such brief interaction, knowing that everyone is putting their brightest foot forward on that day. In the end, it was the interactions/conversations I had with then current residents in the department. I sensed their satisfaction with the department, hospital and city.
What do you enjoy the most about being a resident/fellow at University of Missouri Health Care?
Working with other residents here.
Can you describe an experience that has had a lasting effect on you as a physician here at University of Missouri Health Care?
Personal interactions with patients daily, no one event.
How do you like living in Columbia? What can you tell me about home life (schools, clubs, organizations) that you may be involved with in Columbia?
Columbia is growing on our family. Our oldest child is now in first grade at Derby Ridge Elementary and she has had a great experience in school these past two years. Most other social interactions are through church and other resident-related friendships we have here.
What are some of your future goals or plans?
Fellowship training. Private vs. academic practice. Raising a righteous happy family. Community service.
Jessica Schaefer, MD
Resident Alumni, Rheumatology
Why did you choose the profession of medicine and your specialty?
I chose medicine because I love working with people, to be able to be intellectually challenged and at the same time make a difference in people's lives around me was my basic reason to go into medicine. Rheumatology fit my personality best, with fascinating disease processes, the ability to truly make a difference in most patient's symptoms and a relatively flexible lifestyle which, as a mom in a two-physician family, was important to me.
How do you like living in Columbia? What can you tell me about home life (schools, clubs, organizations) that you may be involved with in Columbia?
Columbia is my home town, and such a great place to live. I jokingly refer to it as my "black hole," because I always get sucked back here (I have lived here three times). I truly love Columbia, it is great for both families and singles, and the three colleges in town keep Columbia young and fresh. Since I have been here off and on for many years, it has been fascinating to watch Columbia grow and develop into a mini-metropolis with great restaurants, shopping and much to do during off-work hours. I am personally involved at a local church, am the mother of two young boys, and my husband is a member of the Columbia Multi-sport Club, a running/triathlon club here in town.
What are some of your future goals or plans?
I will be moving with my family and working part time as a rheumatologist in San Antonio, Texas.
Do you have any advice for future residents/fellows?
Find what you love about what you do and do that as often as you can. And if you don't like something, get involved and figure out a way to make it better.
Brigham Wise, MD
Resident Alumni, Family Practice
Why did you choose the profession of medicine and your specialty?
I decided I wanted to do something that would challenge me and provide a stable income for my family.
As an undergraduate student I worked with a family doctor and I really admired the relationships he had with his patients. I enjoyed the opportunity to talk with patients and help them in all facets of their lives. In medical school I enjoyed most of my rotations, but felt the most at home in family medicine.
Why did you choose University of Missouri Health Care for your residency or fellowship?
The University of Missouri-Columbia has consistently been ranked in the top two to three in the country for the past decade. I was very impressed with the curriculum and the respect family medicine had here. Family medicine has a long tradition at MU of great faculty and residents. As a result it has earned the respect of the other specialties in the institution. I wanted to go to a program that would train me well. I wanted to come out of residency confident in my abilities. I knew that I would be able to achieve those goals at MU.
What do you enjoy the most about being a resident/fellow at University of Missouri Health Care?
This is a great place to work. The institution has been very responsive to the needs and wants of the residents. I enjoy being able to work with a variety of different residents in almost every specialty.
Can you describe an experience that has had a lasting effect on you as a physician here at University of Missouri Health Care?
I tell people to quit smoking almost every day. It often seems that my pleas are falling on deaf ears. Last year one of my patients gave me a big hug and said, "Thank you for getting me to quit smoking. You didn't give up and you believed I could do it. Thank you." I think about her when I counsel other patients to quit because you never know who is going to need you.
How do you like living in Columbia? What can you tell me about home life (schools, clubs, organizations) that you may be involved with in Columbia?
Columbia is a great place to live. It is a great place to raise a family. I enjoy the ease of getting around town without much traffic. It is beautiful and there are lots of trails to enjoy it. There are lots of advantages to having the University here. It helps to make Columbia a diverse place. There are lots of concerts and other cultural events that come to Columbia. The Recreation Center is first class gym only minutes from the hospital.
What are some of your future goals or plans?
I am going to Las Vegas to do a primary care sports medicine fellowship. I plan to continue to practice family medicine in addition to sports medicine in the future.
Do you have any advice for future residents/fellows?
When deciding on where to do your training you need to pick a place where you will feel comfortable. If you don't feel comfortable you won't be able to learn. When you are happy, you are better able to learn the vast amount of information you are required to in such a short time. Far more important than the information you learn are the habits you obtain to continue life-long learning.
Is there anything else you would like to tell a future resident or fellow regarding their training here at University of Missouri Health Care?
This is a great place to be. Get involved. Residency is what you make of it. If there are ideas you have to make things better, then voice them. Improvement is only possible with good ideas and the perseverance to carry them out.
