Mikayla Gallenberger, MD
Incoming PGY-1, University of Utah Pediatrics
Graduated Medical School from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in May 2020
What is your most memorable experience in medical school so far?
One of the most memorable experiences in medical school was when I had the opportunity to see a patient longitudinally; I saw a child for a well-child check in my first year, in the ER at diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes, and then again in the outpatient setting as she and her parents were learning to manage her new condition. It was satisfying to watch her grow and be a part of the team helping her build confidence in her own skills for managing her health.
What experience led to your interest in pediatric endocrinology?
Endocrinology was one of the subunits that I struggled with the most during the pre-clinical portion of medical school, so I took on a pediatric endocrinology rotation to try to build some of my diagnostic skills. I could not have predicted how much I would LOVE the opportunities to provide longitudinal care, see a variety of patient ages, learn about upcoming technology, and be a community advocate.
What do you see yourself doing in five years?
In 5 years, I will hopefully be in a fellowship in pediatric endocrinology or adolescent medicine! After that, my ultimate goal is to work in a rural area and be able to provide comprehensive outpatient care for children, particularly those with complex medical conditions. Having grown up in a rural area, I understand the struggles of living far away from specialists, and the importance of having competent local providers who can provide information and be the liaison between the patients, families, and tertiary care centers.
What aspect of the Q&A session of the PedsENDO discovery program did you find most helpful? What are you hoping to learn from your PedsENDO discovery program experience (including attending PES 2021)?
I enjoyed hearing about the diversity of patient populations from the Q&A session! It seems like the providers get to see many different things in a day, but also have the space to specialize if they want to. Further, every pediatric endocrinologist that I have met has seemed to love their job, which seems to be unique and a good sign of a great potential career path.