A Bit About Dr. Rawlings
I grew up as the oldest of three boys in Cary, North Carolina. I went to undergraduate school at BYU where I studied classics with an emphasis in Greek and Roman history. While there, I met my wonderful wife who has been an awesome support throughout this medical journey. After graduating from BYU, we returned to North Carolina, where I attended medical school at Campbell University. I’m currently a third-year resident at Utah Valley Family Medicine Residency. My hobbies include sports of all kinds, most recently pickleball. I also really enjoy outdoor activities, like skiing, and have recently learned to lead climb. Additionally, I enjoy reading all genres, but especially fantasy and historical fiction.
A “Classic” Physician
Ever since I was in high school, I have found the sciences and human body fascinating. Once I got to college and after serving a church mission in Brazil, I fell in love with teaching and briefly considered becoming a classics professor. After some careful and thoughtful discussions with mentors, I realized I could combine my love of teaching with the human body and teach patients about medical conditions and diagnoses. Additionally, I enjoy learning about and solving puzzles, so talking with patients and synthesizing their stories and experiences into solutions and diagnoses sounded very appealing. The fact that we’re encouraged to be life-long learners in medicine is another thing that attracted me. Family medicine always stuck out to me because I enjoy talking with people and hearing their stories, so it seemed like a natural fit. I ended up doing a family medicine summer experience where I spent time with various doctors in rural North Carolina which further solidified my desire to become a family doctor.
Residency in Utah County
I wasn’t aware there was a residency here until my third year in medical school. A fellow Campbell student, Cameron Smith, who was two years ahead of me, ended up at this program, so I reached out to him to hear what his experience was like. His description of the program immediately piqued my interest. I ended up doing a sub-internship to experience it for myself and really was inspired by the faculty who all are excellent examples of how to practice medicine and be teachers. Additionally, I could tell the residents were treated well and received great training in full-spectrum family medicine. It was clear the residents left prepared to do whatever they wanted whether that was OB, hospital medicine, clinic, or procedures of all kinds. I couldn’t resist coming back West to get some good skiing in, too. These past couple of years have been some of the best in my life. I’ve developed lifelong friendships with many of the residents and received wonderful mentorship that has prepared me for my career. Not only has Utah Valley FM Residency prepared me for a career in medicine but they have prepared me to excel in a life outside of medicine as well.
What’s Next?
I have signed a contract to stay on with Intermountain at an outpatient practice where I hope to see patients of all ages. I am also planning on doing OB. I’m looking forward to teaching medical students and residents as well. As a Portuguese speaker, it’s been awesome having Portuguese speaking patients, and I hope to still have part of my patient panel be Portuguese speaking in the future as well.
What Makes Family Medicine the Best Specialty
Our field is so diverse that you can really tailor your job to your interests. No other medical specialty offers the breadth that we experience and our relationships with patients is what really sets our specialty apart. If you are interested in people and solving problems, then this is the specialty for you.
Advice for Your Younger Self
Enjoy the journey, and don’t focus on the destination.
