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TFS senior explores medical career
A recent road trip delivered career inspiration for a Tallulah Falls School senior.
Curious about the inner workings of a medical clinic, Karis Tatum of Mt. Airy visited Knoxville to observe the practice of urologist John M. Lacy, MD, originally from Habersham County.
Lacy is a board-certified urologist practicing at University Urology at the University of Tennessee Medical Center; he also serves as the Urology Residency Program Director at the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
Tatum said she fell in love with UT and the city of Knoxville after a college visit during her sophomore year.
In a family with six children, Tatum said, one of her siblings often experiences minor injuries or has complaints about different ailments.
“I became the family nurse because I don't mind the sight of blood and/or have the most patience,” she said. “Coach Van [Hooser] knew of my love of UT and my desire to be a nurse, and he helped me coordinate this opportunity.”
She plans to attend the University of Tennessee and pursue a career in nursing.
During the four days spent observing, Tatum witnessed more than 10 surgical procedures, arriving at the clinic early to ensure exam rooms and labs were ready for the daily patient load. She was charged with checking the schedule and confirming appointments.
“We would see a new patient every 15 minutes or so,” she said. “We’d continue seeing patients in the afternoon and in between visiting with patients, we would reorder equipment and supplies. We would answer phone calls or return calls of concerned patients.”
Lessons learned from the experience included how much responsibility nurses have in a clinic setting and how to run cultures using blood and urine.
The experience confirmed her desire to become a nurse, she added.
Lacy said the nursing field needs more students like Tatum.
“We had a great time getting to know Karis and giving her a sneak peek at nursing and the medical field in general,” Lacy said. “Now more than ever, we need intelligent, caring, motivated students like Karis in our field. Working in nursing and medicine is one of the most rewarding professions in the world, but it can be simultaneously taxing physically, mentally and emotionally. The training programs can also be costly and time-consuming, so I do not think the importance of early-career shadowing and careful reflection about one’s career pathway can be overstated.”