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Meet Maggie Long

Date: Friday, May 8, 2020

Maggie Long, portraitHometown: Des Moines, Iowa
Residency Match: University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
Specialty: Obstetrics and Gynecology

How did you choose your specialty?

I have always admired the long-term relationships that primary care physicians form with their patients. During medical school, I also developed a strong interest in anatomy and the definitive treatments that surgeons provide to their patients. Obstetrics and gynecology is a really unique mix of both primary care and procedures that allows me to combine both of these interests.

What experiences outside of the curriculum greatly enhanced your medical education?

I was fortunate to be involved with two distinction tracks while at the Carver College of Medicine. The Healthcare Delivery Science, Management, and Policy (HDSMP) Distinction Track allowed me to further explore and understand how business principles are integrally related to health care. The Teaching Distinction Track gave me opportunities to develop skills in medical education. Both tracks greatly enriched my education and understanding of medicine and our health care system.

Who was especially helpful in guiding and mentoring you?

I was very lucky to have the wisdom and guidance of multiple physician-mentors. Dr. Michael Haugsdal served as an outstanding mentor and role model to me, even before I made the decision to apply to obstetrics and gynecology. He has served as a source of guidance and encouragement since my M2 year. There is no faculty member I admire more for their dedication to teaching and patient care. Dr. Sarah Shaffer was also instrumental in guiding me through my advanced experiences in OB-GYN and throughout the residency application process. Dr. James Brown and Dr. Gina Lockwood provided me with research and academic opportunities within the Department of Urology. Countless other faculty, residents, and staff at UI Hospitals & Clinics and the Carver College of Medicine shared their time, expertise, and passions with me over the past four years, for which I am very grateful.

What was the most rewarding part of your Carver College of Medicine experience?

Without sounding too cliché, the people who I’ve met along the way have been the most rewarding part of my experience at the Carver College of Medicine. Medicine is truly an art and not just a science, and I have learned more about the art of medicine from my attending physicians, residents, classmates, and patients than from any textbook or lecture.

Share one memory that sticks out from your time as a student at the UI Carver College of Medicine.

Even though this year’s Match Day was not held in person, it was still an incredible day that represented the culmination of years of hard work for myself and all of my colleagues. My friends and I FaceTimed each other immediately after receiving our results, and I loved getting to (virtually) share in everyone’s success. 

What advice or words of encouragement would you give to incoming medical students?

Never forget why you started. It can be easy to lose sight of the real end goal. Work hard so you can take better care of your future patients, not just so you can do well on the next exam or the next OSCE (objective structured clinical examination). Overall, enjoy the journey. It will go by quickly!