As I stood at the Craig Joint Theater Hospital in Bagram, Afghanistan, the ground rumbled below me, a constant reminder of the challenging and often stressful environment that surrounded me. It was during this deployment that I had my first exposure to radiology, which would change the course of my career. I had the opportunity to shadow a radiologist who covered the entire country for the US Military, and it was truly an eye-opening experience. Witnessing the profound impact that radiology had on patient care in such a challenging environment left a lasting impression on me. I was immediately drawn to the intricacies of the field and its ability to improve patient outcomes. From that moment on, I knew that radiology was my calling and I have since pursued my passion for the field throughout medical school. …show more content…
Early on in medical school, I began inquiring about available interest groups and reaching out to physicians to complete case reports with and shadow on my free days. Being the vice president and now the current president of the Seldinger Society at the University of South Dakota has allowed me to grow in a leadership position while furthering my passion for radiology. These experiences showed me that I enjoy mentoring in the field, learning and teaching radiology-related material, and the day-to-day tasks of a radiologist. With technology continuously advancing and the continuous increased usage of imaging, radiology provides endless opportunities for lifelong learning and evidence-based practice to benefit patients. At the annual ASSR meeting where I presented a poster presentation, I had the opportunity to meet residents and attendings in the field from across the country. Seeing the passion and enthusiasm that these individuals had for radiology only further cemented my desire to pursue this