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First thing that came to my mind was Planned Parenthood.
Dr. Amanda Matthews left Medical College of Georgia with more than just four years of hard work, some awards and finally a diploma. She also had a daughter to show for it.
Dr. Matthews was among 783 who graduated Friday from MCG, including 170 new doctors. Like many of her classmates and other medical students nationwide, how she chooses to practice will take into account her desire to spend time with her family and daughter, Addie. It is clear from surveys of physician attitudes that the younger physicians are different than those who came before them, said Darrell G. Kirch, the president and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges, who was the keynote speaker at MCG's graduation.
"It is very clear that both genders, male and female, of younger physicians express ideas about working part time or having a hiatus in their career where they devote themselves to family," he said.
The mistake some older physicians make is in thinking the younger set don't possess the same work ethic when that is not the case, Dr. Kirch said.
In fact, the decision to have a child meant Dr. Matthews had to carry her pregnancy through the rigorous clinics of her third year of medical school.
"I had my harder rotations toward the end of my third year," she said. "I was very pregnant. I was seven months pregnant on surgery. It was really difficult. I was so exhausted by the time I would get home in the evening."
Her already swollen ankles would balloon during long rounds at the hospital, she said, and toward the end she could fit only tennis shoes onto her feet. Luckily for her, Addie was born June 26 last year, which fell between her third and fourth years and meant she didn't have to miss any time. That had been the initial fear when she found out she was pregnant.
"I did really well my first two years of school and I thought, Can I do both? Can I be a good student and become a good physician and be a good mommy, too?' " she said.
She did well enough that she won the Georgia Woman of the Year Scholarship for her academic and volunteer work.
When she got the call about the award, she was at home taking care of Addie.
"I was sitting here in my pajamas, I had probably not showered all day," Dr. Matthews said with a laugh. "I didn't feel like any Georgia Woman of the Year."
It is an ongoing balancing act for her, trying to care for Addie and continue studying, though her husband, Blake, helps out a lot, she said. She always tried to wait until Addie is put to bed before pulling out the books.
"As much as I want to study, if she is in the room and she's doing something cute or wants my attention, it's hard to say no to that," Dr. Matthews said.
It is partly for that reason Dr. Matthews chose ophthalmology as a specialty over general surgery, which she also liked.
"You get to work with all age groups. The other nice thing is you get to do office work; you get to do some surgery. So it affords you both," she said. "The third thing is I can have office hours but then I can still spend time with my family. I can still be a good mother."
And that in the end is what is important to her. And to Addie.
Reach Tom Corwin at (706) 823-3213 or tom.corwin@augustachronicle.com.
A GRATEFUL WINNER
Winston Wang held it together until he started to talk about his mother. Mr. Wang, 31, was honored Friday at Medical College of Georgia's commencement with the John F. Beard Award for Compassionate Care. Mr. Wang, who graduated from the School of Nursing, has evidently impressed so many colleagues and faculty with his selfless giving that they turned in a record 29 nominations for him, said Martha Tingen, the vice chairwoman of the MCG Academic Council.
"Reading the letters was a reward itself," said Mr. Wang, of Augusta.
The $25,000 prize will help him honor his mother in some way.
"To treat my mother to what she deserves," Mr. Wang said, his voice cracking as tears came to his eyes.
Comments
First thing that came to my mind was Planned Parenthood.
Attitudes about careers in medicine are indeed changing. I wonder how part-time doctors will be treated under the upcoming government-run universal health system. Will the government tell physicians that they have to see "x" number of patients per week or month in order to be employed?
Good question, Standing Tall. However, I will be very surprised if the government ever completely runs the healthcare system because there is just way, way, too much money in the system the way it is operated now for the government to want to jeopardize that. The lobbyists from the medical and medical insurance industries have almost unlimited financial resources from which to draw; it is much more powerful than most of us realize. That's why the Clintons failed to change the system in the 90's. They got outspent. That's why I do not believe for a second that anything will change.
with the kind of money doctors make I really don't want to hear squat about their 'problems'.
Though doctors may make a large amount of money, you need to realise the amount of time they spend in school. Twelve to fifteen years, and then most have to pay off school loans, at least $150,000 or more. If they did not make that kind of money they would not be able to pay back the loans and make a living. Plus, they hold peoples lives in their hands. You need to investigate the investment of time and money it takes to become a doctor before you jump to the conclusion that they are rolling in the dough. It truly is a calling, and for most, becomes their lives. They deserve what they earn.
Doctors in bed with the pill companies will guarantee an easy life with all the bennies.
To Standing Tall, spare me the sob story. They chose to enter the profession knowing the costs. They also choose to live in really expensive houses and drive really expensive cars (some doctors excluded). Some doctors make $150k/yr. I'm very thankful for doctors and their talents, but when you charge $300 for a 15-minute outpatient surgery, then something is definitely wrong with the picture. But that's just me.
This is in response to the negative comments posted. Obviously these comments were posted by citizens who know absolutely nothing about running a medical office. I have worked in the medical field for 15 years doing billing and collections and let me stress to you that just because a Dr. charges $300.00 for a 15 minute procedure does not mean he collects $300.00. Insurance companies these days only allow about 40% of what a Dr. charges and less than that on some procedures, therefore the profit margin is not what some might think. Also the expenses involved in operating an office is unreal. Drs. have to pay people like myself to stay on the phone with insurance companies 8 hrs. a day to get them to pay what they are required to so that the cost is not pasted along to the patient. Nurses do not come cheap these days either, nor does equipment nor malpractice insurance. With all the ignorance in the world today people need to stop and think what if your child needed medical attention and there where no "rich" doctors out there, what would you do? My guess is that the negative comments were posted by people with healthy families but unfortunately that's not always the case.
For all of you who want to criticize get off you "assk" and give medical school a try! There is nothing wrong with someone getting accolades for thier achievements. The only reason someone would make negative comments is out of pure jealously. I am a proud sister-in-law and know first hand the struggles that Amanda has overcome. She is not only going to make a great doctor but is an amazing mother to Addie and may her life continue to be prosperous. Peace Out, Word To Your Mother!
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