David Newton ’17 always wanted to be a physician, but it wasn’t until he had the opportunity to work in the field as a student at the University of Georgia that he fully realized what it took to be a compassionate health care provider.
He comes from
a long line of bulldogs
Originally from Augusta, Georgia, David comes from a long line of Bulldogs. His parents met at UGA; his older brother graduated in 2012, and now David and his younger sister are both following in their family’s footsteps. It was not just his family’s ties to UGA, however, that led David to apply. He was attracted to the university by its many opportunities for hands-on learning. As he nears graduation, David feels his research, internships and volunteering, along with his rigorous academic training as a double major in biology and psychology with a minor in chemistry, have more than prepared him to tackle medical school.
In the summer of 2015, David worked as a clinical research intern for the Joseph M. Still Research Foundation, the largest burn program in the United States. Through this internship, he witnessed firsthand how care for burn victims was improved through research. David felt inspired to continue to pursue research that would enhance health care for all patients.
The following summer, David received the Ash Service Award, a competitive award established by UGA alumni Kathryn and Darren Ash that provides support to Honors students pursuing full-time, summer internships with service organizations in Georgia. David served as a primary care research intern with UGA’s Economic Evaluation Research Group and Mercy Health Center, a free clinic in Athens, Georgia. His research focused on the free clinic’s economic impact on the state. At the end of his internship, David proposed a strategy to the clinics’ directors that would help secure funding from local hospitals in exchange for reducing the use of their facilities by uninsured patients. This research has inspired David to make local communities a focus of his academic and professional pursuits.
David Newton
In his own words
“The important aspects that I evaluate in each field are the amount of direct patient contact and the ability to have a sustained relationship with a patient over time. These are the qualities that initially led me to medicine and continue to inspire my passion.”
-David Newton
figuring out
the right path
David continued his work with the Mercy Health Center and now serves as a volunteer clinic manager, attending class during the day and overseeing clinic activities during the evenings. David’s research taught him the important role scientific inquiry plays in the medical field, but his volunteer work has taught him the importance of fostering strong relationships with his patients.
“Understanding a patient’s value system is just as important as knowing the science behind the medicine if a physician wants to see change in a patient’s life. I want to connect with patients in a meaningful way, and having a diverse and well-rounded experience betters the chances to make this happen.”
As David looks to the future, he has not yet settled on one particular field of medicine. Instead, he’s evaluating his choices based on what path will allow him to interact with patients the most.
“The important aspects that I evaluate in each field are the amount of direct patient contact and the ability to have a sustained relationship with a patient over time. These are the qualities that initially led me to medicine and continue to inspire my passion.”
Update: David graduated summa cum laude and accepted a position as a Health Policy Analyst at American Enterprise Institute. He is currently a medical student at the Medical College of Georgia.
