Amy Hanson awaits a match in pediatrics

The doctors and professors Amy Hanson has worked with at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine helped her determine her specialty—pediatrics. As Match Day approaches, Hanson excitedly awaits the news on where she’ll further her passion as a resident.

Hometown: Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Specialty: Pediatrics

Residency Match: Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN

Some questions for Amy

Did you receive scholarship support?

I received a small $5,000 merit scholarship. Anything helps!

How did you decide on a career in medicine?

My journey into the world of medicine was quite different than what you typically hear. I was not born knowing I wanted to be a doctor, didn’t dream about it and start studying during my elementary school years, and had no family members in the field to even consider it until I started my undergraduate work here at the University of Iowa. 

I decided on a career in medicine after I participated in the University of Iowa’s India Winterim program, which was a month-long study abroad trip to India, where I had the opportunity to work with physicians and surgeons at Meenakshi Mission Hospital in Madurai, India, and I realized that medicine was where I was meant to be and what I was supposed to be doing with my life. 

What unique aspects of the Carver College of Medicine curriculum were most beneficial?

It would be so cheesy to say “the people,” but that is what was most beneficial to me being here. I had more people offering to help me than I had time to follow up with. The Learning Community leaders did an outstanding job making everyone feel welcome and like they were a part of something, checking in with us at least via e-mail on a semi-regular basis.

The Counseling Center always had free programming available on topics regarding mental health, sleep hygiene, financial counseling, you name it. The course directors, lecturers, and associated staff made everything available online almost immediately so you could go home and review material.

I also feel that my medical education was very personal. I walked in and could tell that everyone had clearly studied our names and faces and genuinely wanted to know us. Talk about motivation to do well!

What was your most memorable experience at the Carver College of Medicine?

One of my favorite memories will always be the annual DVIP (Domestic Violence Intervention Program) Bench Press competition. It is an opportunity to turn the foyer of the medical school into a gymnasium and compete with fellow students and staff in a completely different realm. It’s just one of the many things that makes Carver feel like my home and second family, not just my medical school.

Is there someone in the college who was especially helpful in guiding and mentoring you?

There isn’t just someone. There were many people. I was the Flocks co-mayor, so I had the opportunity to plan and facilitate community events with David Swanson, MD, the Flocks community director, and I would run with him on Saturday mornings.

Peter Densen, MD, associate dean now retired, took me under his wing almost from day one. He always made time to sit down and talk to me when I had questions or concerns about anything. He went out of his way to ensure I met the right people and just overall looked out for me. I was sad to see him retire.

Katie Iverson, PA-C, makes the best monster cookies around, and I don’t know what I would have done without her positive attitude and genuine interest in how I was doing on a regular basis. 

Amy A’Hearn, MS, was someone who made Iowa feel like home for me starting on my Iowa interview day. I likely would not have ended up at Iowa had it not been for her. 

I could go on forever...

Do you have any advice for your fellow medical students about how to choose a specialty?

It is not as easy as people make it seem. I was told, “You just find your people,” and “You know when you know,” as if it was comparable to love and finding “the one.” In reality (many of us have talked about this; it’s not just me), the four years of medical school are challenging, and the circumstances force you to figure out what you most value, and then to prioritize those most valuable activities, experiences, and people above all else. 

With this in mind, I have chosen to apply for pediatric residency positions because, while I enjoy the patient population and learning/understanding and eventually diagnosing congenital disease processes, etc., I also know that a future career in pediatrics will allow me to be the woman outside of medicine that I want to be: A mother who can see her children’s soccer games, a wife who can be home for dinner more nights than not, a sister who has time to call her brothers a couple of times a month, a daughter who has time to visit her parents and help take care of them as they grow older, a Christian who can be at church at least a couple of Sundays per month, and a healthy, fit individual who has time to workout the majority of days. This is, at least, the goal: I want to do everything and to be happy, and I believe a career in pediatrics will best allow me to do that. 

This is my advice to my fellow medical students: Do what will make you most happy both within and outside of the hospital walls. Do what will make you the best version of yourself.