Latisha Heinlen
Medical Student, University of Oklahoma
My interest in rheumatology is largely due to having great mentors who have shared with me their enthusiasm and excitement about rheumatology. I began working with Drs. John Harley and Judith James through a medical research program when I was in high school. They taught me about the research they were doing, and allowed me to see patients with them. Through this experience, I grew to love both rheumatology medicine and research. Deciding to pursue a career in both, I am currently in the MD/PhD program at the University of Oklahoma.
When I first started seeing patients with Dr. Harley, the extent of my knowledge about rheumatic disease was the eleven criteria for lupus. After two years of medical school, it is even more interesting to study rheumatology because I am more aware of the complexity of the diseases and the potential for research. Being involved in the research aspect of rheumatology adds an even greater dimension to the diseases we study, and means my future career will be dynamic and exciting.
As a second year medical student, my days are filled with studying pathology. During school, I have tried to work in the lab and see patients with Dr. James as often as I can, which has really made school more enjoyable and strengthened my decision to study rheumatology. I was also able to attend the ACR Annual Scientific Meeting this year to present an abstract. This experience showed me many new aspects of rheumatic disease; so much so that I can't wait to get back into the laboratory and start my PhD!
My experience at the ACR Annual Scientific Meeting also reinforced what a dedicated group of colleagues I have in rheumatology. Everyone I met was friendly and incredibly passionate about his or her field. Rheumatology is an exciting field with huge advancements to be made, making it a researcher's dream. But most important, this is a field where you can make a tremendous difference in many people's lives.
