Meet Megan Horne

Megan Horne came to the Carver College of Medicine unsure of which medical specialty to pursue.

After completing a clinical clerkship in emergency medicine during her third year of medical school, she realized the fast-paced environment suited her perfectly. After graduation, Horne will begin specialty training as a resident physician with the Emergency Department at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics for her residency.

What attracted you to the Carver College of Medicine?

One factor was the Global Health Distinction Track. That was something I always wanted to do, and it’s something that's very unique to the Carver College of Medicine. It's part of the education, if you wish to do that, and to also travel abroad and get actual clinical experiences.

How did you choose Emergency Medicine for your specialty?

I really like the fast pace of things and not knowing what is coming through the door at any minute. You’re always on your toes, having to be able to adapt, multitask, and think quickly. That really excites me and definitely fits my personality. Growing up, the idea of sitting at a desk almost every day didn’t sound appealing to me. So that's what attracted me to emergency medicine.

I am also excited to work with all walks of life and socioeconomic backgrounds. I love having a diverse patient population, but it also pushes me as a physician to learn more about such a broad spectrum of medicine.

Can you share a positive memory from medical school?

I have so many. Recently, we were able to do a few events, one of which was trivia, during Match Week, which was great. In school, there’s definitely healthy competition, but being able to see each other and have fun was really nice. I think it really highlights how Carver is not a very cutthroat, competitive place. All my classmates are wonderful at sharing resources and try to help each other succeed.

Do you have any mentors at Carver College of Medicine?

I’ve had a few, but the one I worked with the most was Robin Paetzold. She's the head of the global health programs for medical students. Just being able to work on projects with her locally has been an amazing experience. I have learned a lot about barriers to healthcare and it makes me passionate for change.

What are you looking forward to the most?

I'll be with the Emergency Department at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics for the next three years. I'm pretty extensively involved with our Congolese immigrant population here. Being a French speaker, that's something that I am very passionate about—I hope to help bridge the gap between the community and health care services.

What are your long-term goals for your medical career?

After residency, I'm considering doing a global health fellowship, wherever that takes me. Maybe I will be working for Medecins Sans Frontieres, also known as Doctors Without Borders. I think emergency medicine, in terms of global health, is very well-equipped for natural disasters or political unrest. And, in regard to global health, trying to practice that in a limited-resource setting—that's another challenge.