The AMA "Members Move Medicine" series profiles a wide variety of doctors, offering a glimpse into the passions of women and men navigating new courses in American medicine.
On the move with: Steven Young, MD, who is part of 2018–2021 class in the anesthesiology residency program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
AMA member since: 2013.
What inspired me to pursue a career in medicine: Part of what inspired me was my time spent the United States Peace Corps in Guyana, in South America. My experiences there drove my passion for medicine and highlighted the differences in health care outcomes between their nation and ours.
How I move medicine: Joining organized medicine has connected me to a generation of inspirational leaders who will help guide the behemoth “USS Medicine” that is our health care system. Whether it is advocating on behalf of our patients at the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Legislative meetings or on Capitol Hill in D.C., I am asking our legislators to consider how best to assist our patients. And I especially enjoy mentoring new members on how they can best serve their patients and fellow physicians by sharing their experiences with others and understanding the ways we can change our health care system.
Career highlights: Each time I interact with a patient, I aim to educate them on one piece of their health or disease that they did not know before. In this way, I hope that I can help them build a foundation of trust and knowledge which will improve their health.
Advice I’d give to those interested in pursuing a career in medicine: The most important thing is to continue improving yourself and your knowledge so that you can apply that in your career, even if it is not in health care. To quote Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, “Be the hardest worker in the room.” People will notice and it will pay off.
Aspect of my work that means the most: The satisfaction of impacting a patient’s life. Whether it is a suburban patient, a homeless patient, a cancer patient, a sick patient, I aim to be their physician, first and foremost. That they can trust me to evaluate them and prescribe the best treatment for them is an honor and privilege that is like no other profession.
Learn more about AMA members who are relentlessly moving medicine through advocacy, education, patient care and practice innovation, and join or renew today.
