Education and Residency
COM: ATSU KCOM
Residency Program: University of Missouri Columbia, Columbia, MO (Third year)
Other Education: Undergraduate degree in Athletic Training from Hope College, Holland, MI
Why did you choose this residency program?
My husband (Wyatt Eikermann) and I couples matched into family medicine. We were looking for a program with many residents and that fit both of our interests. I am very interested in sports medicine and am pursuing a sports medicine fellowship. This program has a sports medicine fellowship program and strong sports medicine faculty. Another unique thing about this program is the diversity of continuity clinics, from FQHC to rural clinics as well as an urban clinic. This allows me to learn in an academic institution but still have my continuity clinic in a rural setting, which is what my career after residency will look like.
Why did you choose family medicine?
I have always loved sports medicine and knew I wanted to do something in that realm but realized I did not like being in the operating room. So orthopedic surgery was not for me. I love that with family medicine I can take care of all ages. This also applies to all ages of athletes. I also can take care of all concerns an athlete might have from being sick or having a rash to their mental health and injuries.
What is a typical day like in your life as a resident?
I am not sure there is a typical day for a resident as I think it depends what you are currently doing. We have some rotations that are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. But we also have rotations in the hospital from 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and we also work nights in the hospital.
What do you like to do in your time outside of residency?
I enjoy gardening and have a vegetable garden in my backyard from which I made dill pickles this year. I also enjoy playing pickleball and trying different local breweries and wineries.
Why did you volunteer to join the Resident Council?
I wanted to get more involved with ACOFP. Even though I am at a traditionally allopathic residency I want to continue to use my osteopathic skills and grow my community and network, and ACOFP is a great place to do that. Being a part of this council also allows me to help other students and residents find their home with ACOFP and help bring a resident voice and opinion to the organization.
As a student, I attended events put on by KCOM’s chapter and attended the national conference virtually in 2021 and in person in 2022.
What is your advice to students?
Get involved in organizations or committees that are important to you Don’t pass up opportunities to network or enhance your knowledge/skills.
When was the first time you realized you wanted to be a physician?
My path to becoming a physician was unconventional. I started out as an athletic trainer and then went to physical therapy school. Some life events led me back to working as an athletic trainer. While working at a summer camp and witnessing many misdiagnoses, I realized I had so many questions about x-rays, the diagnostic process, and treatment of fractures and other injuries. I decided to go to medical school to learn the answers to those questions and to become the physician taking care of those summer camp injuries.
If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor?
This is a hard question. I have found great mentors through the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports medicine and at the University of Missouri Columbia Family medicine and primary care sports medicine departments. There are physicians who have or currently work in an area I hope to one day who I would love the chance to talk to and ask questions to as well.
