Oksana Klimenko
WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
Hometown: Brier, Washington
Undergraduate studies: University of Washington BA in Business Administration
Favorite clinical rotation: My favorite clinical rotation was a month rotation of family medicine in Chelan, Washington. There, I truly experienced the wonders of rural family medicine. I got to care for the patients of the surrounding area in the clinic, hospital, emergency room, and labor and delivery. The family medicine doctors there really did everything, and it made me fall in love with rural family medicine.
What draws you to Family Medicine? With family medicine everything just clicks for me. I get the variety in office procedures combined with the deeper patient connections. The relationships I established with my patients on my Family Medicine rotation made me fall in love with it. From the little new born baby to the geriatric patient, all are trusting you to care for their health. It is such a rewarding specialty.
Justin Seymour
WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
Hometown: Walla Walla, Washington
Undergraduate studies: University of Washington, B.S. in Chemistry
Favorite clinical rotation: As a fourth year medical student, I had the opportunity to spend a month with the rural family doctors of Palouse Medical in Pullman, WA. During that rotation I established relationships with the patients I saw and developed plans that incorporated the unique needs of a rural community. Learning alongside a well-functioning team that prioritizes their patients gave me a preview of the joys of practicing family medicine in Eastern Washington.
What draws you to Family Medicine? The variety of pathology, the camaraderie among clinic staff, but most importantly the continuity of care with patients is why I am drawn to practice family medicine. I believe doctors can provide the best care when they see patients as people beyond their diagnoses, and family medicine facilitates the type of compassionate care I hope to provide my patients.
Jordan Holmes
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown: Honolulu, HI and Colorado Springs, CO
Undergraduate studies: Whitworth University in Biochemistry BS
Favorite clinical rotation: My favorite clinical rotation was in Family Medicine working in Wilbur, Wash. I had the opportunity to work with a physician where it felt like he knew everyone in town. Building rapport was already completed at that point, so the art of practicing medicine became so much more natural. It was also great getting to go from clinic, to the hospital, and then to the emergency room. It really felt like you were doing so much of medicine.
What draws you to Family Medicine? I do not know if there is just one thing that draws me to Family Medicine, but the largest things are continuity of care and the relationships you get to form with patients. Prior to medical school, I worked as medical scribe to a physician who was taking care of three generations and had delivered three of the generations. There is not a lot of other specialties where this is even possible. Most people get into medicine to help people. Imagine all the help you can do when you have been with a family through three generations and the relationships you can form.
Zachary Parker
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown: Yakima, WA
Undergraduate studies: Central Washington University, BS in Biology
Favorite clinical rotation: During my outpatient internal medicine rotation, I was blown away by the relationships the physician had built with his patients and the compassion he showed them. It modeled the type of physician I want to be: one who appreciates the science of medicine but recognizes it as secondary to the person in front of him.
What draws you to Family Medicine? I love the classic notion of the physician who can do a little bit of everything. Through my clinical rotations I enjoyed interacting with people of all ages and couldn’t imagine my days without both the young and young-at-heart. Finally, I think a competent family physician can go a long way to addressing many of the challenges facing healthcare today from offering quality care to people of all backgrounds to cutting down on ever increasing costs of healthcare by maintaining a holistic view of the person.
Anything else you want people to know about you? I love the Pacific Northwest and my home community of Yakima! I look forward to serving the people here in a new way as a family physician. When I’m not studying I’m reading a good book, playing pickleball, or enjoying a walk with my family.
Bailey Simon
WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
Hometown: Walla Walla, WA
Undergraduate studies: Reed College, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Favorite clinical rotation: Rural Family Medicine in Morton, WA. The team was excellent and we brought high quality medical care to people who otherwise may have had difficulty accessing it. That was a great feeling.
What draws you to Family Medicine? Teaming up with patients of all ages and walks of life to achieve their health goals or support them through challenges is very rewarding. That’s why I’m so drawn to the breadth and depth that family medicine offers.
Anything else you want people to know about you? Going to the doctor should be empowering and enjoyable! That’s what people deserve.