Why This Program?
Eleanor (Lisa) Lavadie-Gomez, M.D. and Craig Davenport, M.D. give us their perspectives on why they chose CRMEF for their medical residency program.
Eleanor (Lisa) Lavadie-Gomez, M.D.
It's all about the people! I was initially attracted to the Cedar Rapids Medical Education Foundation because of my specific interests in maternal and child health, community medicine, geriatrics and Latino health care. As I near the end of my intern year, there are many other reasons why I am proud to call myself a CRMEF resident. The faculty is wholeheartedly dedicated to resident success and achievement. They are diverse in interests and talents, but a common thread is their unending advocacy for resident learning, growth and independence. The camaraderie among residents is also a positive attribute. We are strengthened by our unique academic and personal backgrounds. I am constantly amazed by the collective willingness of residents to help one another despite our rigorous and demanding schedules. The transition from medical school to residency was significant and has not been without long days or challenging experiences. Being in this program has strengthened my academic interests listed above and it has also reminded me that a successful program supports its residents every step along the way. Most importantly, it is all about the people!
I grew up in a rural community in central Illinois. I chose medicine and ultimately had to make a decision of where to train for residency and eventually practice medicine. I am very interested in rural clinical medicine and medical technology. So, I needed to find a residency that would give the widest exposure to a diverse population, furnish me with access to the latest in medical technology, and provide a safe atmosphere to develop my medical skills and prepare me for future practice. In Cedar Rapids, I discovered an urban-based program with a smaller community feel. The patient population is amazingly diverse not only in age, sex, race, and ethnicity, but also in medical complexity. The faculty is dedicated to fostering a safe and efficient environment for learning and they truly love teaching. I found a team of resident colleagues who are dedicated not only to learning medicine but to one another. The reality is with our busy schedules and lives, we have learned to work together and share responsibilities. CRMEF stresses the importance of not losing sight of why we chose this profession. We encourage the value of family not only among the faculty and residents, but also with our own families at home.
