Learn more about Samantha Lease.
Education
COM: Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA
Residency: University of Wisconsin Family Medicine Residency, Madison, WI
Other Education: Iowa State University, Masters in Biomedical Sciences
Why did you choose this residency program?
UW Madison is an intense program with lots of contact hours and a heavy OB and inpatient focus. I looked for this in a residency and have found their reputation to be true to experience.
Why did you choose family medicine?
When going through my core specialty rotations, I found myself having so much fun with each of them and struggling to pick one thing that would excite me for the rest of my career. When I got to family medicine, I found I could do virtually everything except major surgery. Even though I did like the OR, I found most procedures were either laparoscopic or robotic, and I’m not a big video game fan. Family medicine has turned out to be everything I had hoped for in a diverse practice.
What is a typical day like in your life as a resident?
There’s not exactly a typical day at UW Madison, rather there are patterns based inpatient or outpatient work. Inpatient work is typically a 12-hour day with 1-2 afternoons of continuity clinic sprinkled in during the week. Outpatient weeks usually involve a few half-days of subspecialty work and continuity clinic.
What do you like to do in your time outside of residency?
My husband and I have a big garden and egg-layer chickens, which we enjoy eating from. We also have two golden retrievers and enjoy camping and fishing with them in the warmer seasons. Winters are usually spent doing inside projects.
Why did you volunteer to join the Resident Council?
What a great way to help bolster the future of osteopathic fam med residency!
Were you involved with ACOFP as a student?
I got a white coat pin early on in med school and attended some ACOFP initiatives, but didn’t get involved until later.
What is your one word of advice to students?
It’s never too early to think of a purpose for your life. I find it’s helpful to think a step or two ahead of where we’re currently at. It gives our present a greater aim and gives our future an actual path, even if plans change over time. I once met a learner who was on his fifth fellowship after two residencies because he couldn’t figure out what he wanted to do.
If you could meet one famous dead person, who would it be?
I would love to meet A. T. Still. We have some of his writings, penned later in his life at the behest of his students, and we have writings from some of his students. I would love to know more from the man himself about his discoveries and his love of medicine.
If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor?
I have many great mentors that I wouldn’t trade for the world. Each one has taught me a great deal--from a detailed session on the neuro exam to how to truly connect with a patient, from encouragement about truly understanding what you’re trying to say to the finer points of OMT.
What would you title an autobiography or memoir?
Going for More
