Jason Williams Furman University Alumni

Jason Williams '09

— Pediatric Resident, PGY-3

The nobility of the medicine profession is what inspired me to embark on this journey. Within medicine, the care for children encourages me to work hard every single day.

 


Personal/Professional Journey


How did you find your way to where you are today? Share a little about your professional journey.

I entered Furman as a traditional pre-medical student. I majored in biology and kept the same major the entire duration. While at Furman, I became involved in many extracurricular activities, including a unique research opportunity at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in virology.

I also did research with professors on campus and met regularly with my pre-med advisor to track my progress for medical school. After graduating, I took a year off and worked in a pediatric health center as a patient service representative prior to admission to medical school on December 23, 2009. I still remember that day as being pretty remarkable.

I entered the Medical University of South Carolina, College of Medicine with an open mind, but also had the inkling to pursue working with children. The next two years were a grind like none other. It is colloquially likened to, "drinking from a fire hydrant," to prove you are equipped with the knowledge and skills for patient care. I considered other fields, such as OB/GYN, internal medicine, and radiology for different aspects of each that were attractive to me.

Most notably, I liked procedures and the ability to interpret diagnostic studies. My rotations in pediatrics piqued my interest in caring for children. I became involved with the pediatric interest group and numerous other campus organizations, including serving as co-president on the Student National Medical Association. After deciding to pursue pediatrics, I entered the National Residency Matching Program and during my third year of med school, I was matched for residency training at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN for my three-year training in pediatrics.

In residency, I pursued pediatric cardiology, and, upon completion of my residency program in the summer of 2017, I will start a fellowship at Duke Children's.
What inspires you?

I did not have a traumatic event as a child and I am the first physician in my family. The nobility of the medicine profession is what inspired me to embark on this journey. Within medicine, the care for children encourages me to work hard every single day.

Becoming a pediatrician seemed most natural for me. Children are fun and resilient patients. I like to think I am helping the next generation grow into their greatest potential. I am also inspired by the wealth of information and new innovation in pediatrics that enables me to keep learning. Healthcare is something I have always wanted to know more about and remain current on the cutting edge technology.



Within the field


When providing advice for professional development, what are some tools or resources one should consider?

Preparation for medical school is probably the most challenging part of becoming a physician. Ensuring you have good study habits is essential. If you are not quite making the grades or scores, always work to improve. There are many avenues to tackling the MCAT (e.g. Kaplan) that pre-medical students can take advantage of. I took Saturday workshops/practice exams with Kaplan. Review courses exist, but take financial means and planning. I also took part in a summer enrichment program that focused on the MCAT.

Aside from the key numbers (GPA, MCAT, etc.), one important aspect of your medical school applications is identifying a passion about a specific project or calling that you have taken an integral role in, and demonstrates your dedication to a cause greater than yourself. It takes much more than intelligence to be a good physician. Medical schools want to know that you have the full package.

Research is also important to them, as it demonstrates your commitment to learning and your dedication to advancing a particular field. Shadowing established physicians allows you to obtain knowledge, interact with them professionally, and better develop your patient/doctor relationships. While at Furman, I shadowed my suitemate's father, who was an otolaryngologist from my hometown. While I ultimately discovered surgery was not the best fit for me, I knew that becoming a doctor was something I still wanted to seek. I have also known students and friends who have taken advantage of master's degrees, post-baccalaureate programs, and research internships. Medical school is competitive, so enhancing your curriculum vitae is vital to your success.
How have mentors impacted your professional development? How did you develop those relationships?

Though the symbolic hooding of a physician is single-file, no one obtains their MD or gains faculty appointments of professorship alone. Mentorship is imperative in medicine, as it takes collaboration to make the healthcare team function. I have had many mentors for multiple aspects of professional and personal life.

I am a firm believer in learning from others who have a knowledge base or perspective different from my own to enhance my professional acumen. Identifying a career interest in cardiology and healthcare disparities has helped me to select mentors within pediatrics and pediatric cardiology. It's important to develop relationships with those who are truly invested in you and have time to help you cultivate your career. I advocate meeting as many different people and sharing your story no matter what you do. That person may be the connection to launch your interests or connect you with someone else.



For someone just getting started


What do you wish you would have known getting started in your field?

Medicine takes sacrifice from the day you decide you want to become a physician. The library will be your nest, your home away from home. Nothing is easy and time is always a factor. I encourage all prospective students interested in medicine to examine all aspects of obtaining an MD before committing.

I also recommend applying for as many scholarships as possible, and always search for scholarships and grants to help fund your education. Education is expensive and it helps to limit financial stress wherever possible.
How could Furman help with getting someone started?

One of the things that attracted me to Furman, aside from the beauty of the campus, was its track record of medical school acceptances. At the time, 70 percent were accepted. If you can succeed at Furman, you can succeed in medical school. Furman is known within the medical community and doing well here academically will enhance you as an applicant. Furman also has a dedicated pre-health advisor, who knows the process and is available to help you navigate it successfully.



Furman University


How has your liberal arts background shaped your career path or supported your success?

Along with honing your ability to think critically and assimilate information, a Furman education helps build exposure and provides a wide framework of knowledge. You will be challenged, as I was, and it molded me into a better human. I think the Culture Life Program is an integral piece that allows for learning outside of the traditional classroom.

Additionally, Furman offers students avenues to explore their vocation and purpose. Whatever career field you choose, Furman prepares you to transform your thoughts into clear, concise words on a page. The ability to write well is essential in most careers, including medicine. Furman prepared me for that.

Studying in classes like religion and sociology helped shape my view as a physician and I feel helps my understanding of ethnicity, socialization, and their intersection with health. My Furman education has helped me write institutional review board proposals for various research projects. I have also been fortunate to participate in research projects published in medical journals. Last, one of the essential benefits of attending Furman will be the connections you make with those affiliated with Furman, whether professors, current students, or alumni.
What are other courses you took or you wish you would have taken that would also add value in your career?

I started taking Spanish at Furman, with the plan to double major. After my sophomore year, I decided to focus on biology. I wish I had studied Spanish beyond the intermediate class, as it would have benefitted my career from a cultural and communications perspective. I recommend anyone pursuing medicine also pursue a different language of choice. It plays a huge part in taking care of children and families.

If I had to do it all over again, I would probably have also taken health economics or classes in the business department. Healthcare is taking care of patients, but is also a business.
 

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