 Since the days of Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States, women have represented an increasing number of applicants to U.S. medical schools. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, women medical residents made up 38% of all residents in 1999, and this number has continued to increase over the past decade. Oakwood University has a long history of preparing students for medical school. Oakwood graduates go on the have very fulfilling careers in various medical professions. We at OMDA were able to catch up with two of Oakwood University’s finest graduates for an interview. Dr. Diana Moseley (Oakwood class of 2002) is a resident in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at St Joseph’s Mercy Hospital and Dr. Heather Hervey-Jumper (Oakwood class of 2001) is a resident in the department of Anesthesiology at the University of Michigan Medical center.
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Health OU: “Dr Mosley, did you come to Oakwood wanting to become and physician?” Dr. Mosley: Yes, since the 7th grade I’ve been interested in medicine. We studied human reproduction in science class and I was hooked. The human body and the birthing process amazed me. I almost changed majors my junior year at Oakwood. I considered becoming an English, literature major because I love to read and analyze literature. Besides, the biology curriculum was becoming particularly challenging and stressful. But, in the end I felt as though medicine was my true calling. I graduated from Oakwood and went to Drexel University School of medicine. I graduated medical school in 2006. I was most interested in the surgical subspecialties. This combined with my interest in human reproduction led me into Obstetrics and Gynecology. Health OU: “How about you Dr. Hervey-Jumper, were you interested in becoming a physician when you started college?” Dr. Hervey-Jumper: No, I started Oakwood as a nursing major. I loved nursing. I felt as though nurses really took care of the patient. They are the ones who sit by the patient’s bedside, educating, and tending to their needs. But over time, by the end of my clinical rotations, I noticed that nurses did not get to make many of the decisions about day-to-day patient care. After much prayer and many frank discussions with Oakwood faculty and family members, I decided that a M.D degree fit with my personality more than a nursing degree, so I switched majors. Health OU: “So, Dr. Hervey-Jumper, why Anesthesiology?” Dr. Hervey-Jumper: After exposure to the field, I fell in love with the variety and flexibility that Anesthesiology offered. I loved the operating room, but I did not like operating. I loved the fast pace life of anesthesiology and the one-on-one patient care. I also, liked the lifestyle that anesthesiology offered me. Although I had no children during medical school, I knew that I hoped to eventually be a mother and wanted a field that would allow for this flexibility. Health OU: “You bring up an interesting point, did thoughts about future motherhood, family, and lifestyle greatly influence your choice of medical profession?” Dr. Hervey-Jumper: Absolutely yes, I was married in medical school. My husband was entering a demanding surgical subspecialty. Knowing that we would have a two-physician home, I needed to find a field that was intellectually challenging, stimulating, and allowed for me to be a wife and mother. These things were important to me. Dr. Mosley: “ To be absolutely honest, the fear of not being available as a mother and wife was a major deterrent to Obstetrics and Gynecology for me. I really had to take a long hard look at the profession and where it was heading. But, I saw the changing practices of the field, spoke with several faculty and mentors and decided that it was doable.” Health OU: “So is it safe to say that neither of you would have entered into a field, if you deemed that the sacrifice was too great.” Dr. Mosley: “I knew that I wanted to be a parent more than a physician, and that parenthood was more important than my chosen profession. I feel that I will be able to do both. It may cause me to work only part time and make less money, but being a mother is more important.” Health OU: “Dr. Moseley, I see that you are pregnant, many congratulations. How has pregnancy affected your residency?” Dr. Mosley: Well, it has not had much of an impact. Physically, keeping the stamina and keeping up with the rigorous schedule is tough. Staying up on call for over 24 hours becomes a lot harder when you are 30 weeks pregnant. Working in a profession of mainly women, there is an understanding and an acceptance that women have babies as a natural part of life. Health OU:“What concerns you the most about becoming a new mother?” Dr. Mosley: I fear that work and patient obligations will keep me away from my baby. Striking this balance between work and family will be difficult, especially as a resident because you have very little control over your time. But, I have a wonderful and supportive husband. Dr. Hervey-Jumper: It also helps to start a residency in a region where family is close by. It is virtually impossible to try to make this journey on your own. I know that Shawn (Dr.. Hervey-Jumper’s husband) and I rely heavily on my parents and our church family to help with the baby when we are called away to care for patients. Health OU:“Dr. Hervey-Jumper, you have a beautiful 6-month-old little girl in your arms right now. If you don’t mind me asking, who takes care of her during the weekday?” Dr. Hervey-Jumper: We were blessed with a wonderful babysitter who goes to our church. She comes to the house every morning at 5:45am, so that Shawn and I can head off to work. We prayed that the Lord would send us a special person to take care of our child. And as He always does, the Lord answered our prayers. Our babysitter loves our child insanely. We could not ask for a better babysitter. Health OU:“Do you ever feel guilty that you are not with your child during the day and that you are gone so much of the time, as a resident?” Dr. Hervey-Jumper: Of course, I feel guilty every single day. I think that we female physicians are harder on ourselves than we should be. My mother was a stay at home mom and she did a great job. We had so much fun together when I was young, but not everyone can stay at home with his or her child. I deal with my feelings by praying a lot. I remember that the Lord got me into medical school, got me through medical school and put me in this profession. I often look forward 2 years to the future and know that life will be a lot more flexible when I finish residency. Until then, I just do the best that I can, each and every day. Health OU:“What would the two of you say to a female Oakwood Premed/Biology major who aspires to practice medicine in one of the more lengthy and ultra demanding subspecialties for example, cardiothoracic surgery or interventional cardiology?” Dr. Mosley: I would never discourage her dreams. I would however, want to make sure that she knows what she is sacrificing. All residencies are long and hard, but some are even longer and are a lot less flexible and tolerant of family obligations. It can take you well onto your 30’s before you complete your training. Dr. Hervey-Jumper: If they feel strongly about entering such a specialty, I would encourage them to find a good mentor. Someone who is able to balance the priorities that the student holds dear. Someone to offer advice through the journey. Students should remember that they have options and that there is no shame in changing their mind along the way. Health OU:“With all of this talk about pregnancy and children, Dr. Moseley, we have not mentioned much about marriage. It must take a very understanding husband to be married to a resident physician.” Dr. Moseley: Absolutely, your spouse must be very flexible, patient, and understanding. It is hard for many women to find a mate who is willing to compete with their busy professional life. I feel especially blessed to have found my husband. He truly makes this journey a joy. I know that he wishes that I never had to take call or miss dinner. I’m still learning the balance between being available for my patients and being available for my family. Family time cannot always come second to patient care if you want to have a happy relationship, but it often does. It is a fine line that we walk. Health OU:“Both of you seem as though you really love your jobs and your families a lot. Would you choose this road again or would you choose a different profession if you had to do it over again?” Dr. Hervey-Jumper: Absolutely yes. There have been days when I knew that I must be crazy for doing this, but those feelings are very temporary. Medicine is a calling and I have a lot of satisfaction with my job. I touch so may lives each and every day. Being a physician is a privilege and an amazing experience. Dr. Moseley: Medicine is what we do and it is a big part of who we are. I don’t think that I would feel complete if I was not taking care of a patient. It is not a chore; it is a privilege and a great honor. Health OU:“Well, thank you two so very much for your time. Before you go, I have one final question. Is there anything that Oakwood could have done better to make this process easier for you?” Dr. Moseley: I think it would have been nice to speak with different alumni who had gone through the process ahead of me. I would have loved to discuss this very topic with a panel of alumni when I was an Oakwood college student. Oakwood did a great job training us in the sciences. I was very well prepared for the medical school curriculum. That being said, I would have loved to have an Oakwood mentor through the process. Health OU: We appreciate the two of you taking the time to speak with us about these important issues. We wish you and your families all the best. God Bless you both
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