Dr. Keith Pitchford, an orthopedic surgeon of Great Lakes Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, arrived in Mr. Bill Keep’s, Business, classroom at 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, to speak to the members of the Future Medical Professionals club.
“I know Adare [Pitchford (12)], and I know that her dad is a doctor. I thought sports medicine and orthopedics sounded very interesting, and then it made me think of Callie Torres [of Grey’s Anatomy]. So, I knew we had to have him. Then, I just emailed him,” Co-President Niji Shah (12) said.
Dr. Pitchford shared his background, experience, knowledge and stories with the members of the club. After finishing presenting, he asked what each student’s career goals were and answered questions.
“I think Dr. Pitchford was really nice and down-to-earth. It was cool to hear about his experiences as an orthopedic surgeon. He had some pretty crazy experiences,” Justin MacNeill (11) said.
The co-presidents of the Future Medical Professionals club, Shah and Madeline Hirschfield (12), try to recruit healthcare professionals at least once a month to speak at meetings. The point of the club and the speakers is to help interested students explore careers and opportunities in the medical field.
“[The club] gives me an opportunity to learn and take advice from someone who has made the decision that I will have to make soon – the decision of what to devote my life to. It’s enlightening to meet a doctor who has real, personal experience. Every meeting, this one included, helps to guide me in the direction of my future. I try to envision myself in the position of the different doctors to see if I would be able to carry out their career and experiences in my future, helping me to shape my decision,” MacNeill said.
The next Future Medical Professionals meeting will take place on Thursday, April 21 at 2:15 p.m.
