Michael Wilkes
University of California, Davis
Sacramento, CA USA
"Be humble and remember, for better or for worse, you’re only human."
Career Roadmap
Michael's work combines: Medicine, Education, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
Really think about what role in health seems most comfortable for you. Doctors used to be the end all be all but the field of medicine is changing. We need to realize that other roles—like public health and social work—are just as important. Before committing, think, "Why medical school?" If you want to be a doctor, go for it. But if you would actually rather do social work, try that. It doesn't mean you're closing the door on becoming a physician—that option will still be there in the future.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Vassar College
Doctorate
Medicine
University of Connecticut
Graduate Degree
Public Health
Columbia University
Doctorate
Social Epidemiology
UCLA
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
After graduating from college, I started my career as a journalist.
2.
I’d interview accomplished people who would describe the potential efficacy of a drug or policy but when I’d ask how they knew, they told me I wouldn’t understand—so I decided to go to medical school.
3.
I kept working as a television journalist through medical school and went back into journalism full-time after graduating.
4.
I started feeling like something in my life was missing—I wanted to work with patients and ask real research questions, not just journalism questions.
5.
I explored a few different residencies—psychiatry, internal medicine, preventive medicine and public health—before deciding to stick to becoming an internist.
6.
In addition to my MD, I earned a Master of Public Health and a Ph.D. in global epidemiology.
7.
I currently work as a professor of medicine and global health at UC Davis and I run a high risk clinic for homeless teens.
8.
I’ve also continued pursuing my journalistic interests by hosting the KCRW medical radio show, “Second Opinion.”
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
I'm a fake and a fraud. I've fooled all these people and I'm going to be found out.
How I responded:
I've struggled with imposter syndrome throughout my education and career. It stems from my experience going through school with pretty significant learning disabilities and is something I sometimes still struggle with now. While the feeling is certainly a hurdle, it also pushes me to keep learning every day. The field of medicine needs people who aren't afraid to admit they don't know something. We need people who will ask questions and stay determined to find answers.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I struggled with significant learning disabilities in school. If my elementary school teachers saw me now, they'd be shocked. I was in special education classes as a kid and now I'm a doctor and professor tackling big issues in health and medicine.
I always felt like I could do more but I was afraid because it felt like I was faking it at every turn and that I was going to be found out. I think this stems from my learning issues in school, but I still sometimes struggle with these feelings now.