Madelyn Walker is well on her way to fulfilling a lifelong dream to become a doctor — and she credits Santiago Canyon College, where she was able to take most of her premed requirement classes, for helping to make this dream a reality.
Today, Walker, 24, is on track to complete her master’s degree this spring and hopes to begin medical school this summer. Her goal is to become an ER physician, trained in trauma-informed care.
Trauma-informed care recognizes that behavioral and health problems in many adults and children can be the result of trauma, such as abuse, gender-based violence or a war experience, even years after the trauma took place. Appropriate care and practices related to this understanding are now taught in medical schools and other institutions. Last summer, the California Surgeon General initiated a special training program for educators and child care providers in this field.
Walker’s first role model as a medical professional was her mother.
“My mom is a nurse, and that was my first exposure to anything medicine-related growing up. She took care of my brother and me, and worked nights,” Walker said. “I really admired her compassion and work ethic.”
As a high school student, Walker participated in Health Occupation Students of America for future health care professionals.
A pivotal moment came when her grandfather died suddenly while in the emergency room.
“That was an eye-opening experience that led me specifically toward wanting to be a physician,” Walker said. “When I arrived at the ER to meet the rest of my family, I walked into a room to see a physician talking with my dad and aunt. He patiently answered their questions, and I could sense his empathy in our moment of loss.
“I wanted to be that person for others, and I felt becoming a physician would allow me to best do that. I wanted a role where I could combine lifelong learning with compassion, leadership and medical decision-making.”
It has been a journey…
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