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: Victoria I. Gordon (@futuredocgordon), a medical student at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. She also is a member of the AMA Ambassador Program, which equips individuals with the skills and knowledge to confidently speak to the AMA's initiatives and the value of membership. The program also increases overall awareness about what the AMA does for physicians and their patients.
AMA member since: 2017.
What inspired me to pursue a career in medicine: The decision to pursue medicine was a culmination of a lifetime of experiences including seeing disparities in my community, my brother’s experience being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and a desire to help those around me. The opportunities to change people’s lives are endless in medicine, and I want to spend the rest of my life trying to give back to those around me by providing competent and considerate care.
How I move medicine: When I share my time and talents with those who need it most. More specifically, I move medicine currently when I help new members feel included at meetings with the execution of the Buddy Pairing Program in the MSS [AMA Medical Student Section] so that they feel comfortable sharing their own time and talents with the AMA in the future.
Career highlights: Being voted Region 2 secretary, being selected as the chair of MERC [AMA Membership, Engagement & Recruitment Committee], and being selected for the 2020 Ambassador Steering Committee are all things that I am very proud of. Additionally, I was selected to participate in the anatomy fellowship at my school and was inducted into the Sigma Sigma Phi National Osteopathic Society.
Advice I’d give to those interested in pursuing a career in medicine: To not give up and to not get discouraged. Throughout my time in medical school, I have seen so many people from all different walks of life with different strengths and weaknesses succeed, thrive, and grow. They have taught me that if you work hard and believe in yourself that you can accomplish whatever you want to.
How I give back to the community: By participating in my state medical society, by voting in all elections (local and national), and by volunteering with various organizations including my local community kitchen, a student-run clinic, and with various organizations that support younger students in my city. I also advocate by staying active in the AMA and sharing my time and talents to help accomplish the AMA’s goals.
Aspect of my work that means the most: Currently, I am working as an anatomy fellow at my school, where I teach anatomy to first-year students, conduct research, and take extra courses separate from medical school. Taking a step back from simply studying has been so incredible, and I am enjoying watching my students grow and learn.
More than anything, I love watching my students succeed and helping them to reach their full potential! There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the lightbulb go on in the student’s head as they realize that they have learned something.
My hope for the future of medicine: That it is brighter and better than today. I hope that physicians, as a community, can continue to give more patients competent and kind care, and I hope that the work we are doing today helps to accomplish those goals.
Visit MembershipMovesMedicine.com to learn more about other AMA members who are relentlessly moving medicine through advocacy, education, patient care and practice innovation, and join or renew today.
