COM Outlook Spring 2020

28 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE to learn about different cultures and people—and played a significant role in her decision to pursue medi- cine. “As an archaeologist, I always felt like I was living through the lives of people who lived before me instead of having a profound impact on the lives of people in the present,” she said. “I felt medicine was a field that could challenge me long-term and satiate my need to interact with people from different backgrounds.” Painful Interlude Ultimately, Reinsch’s decision to attend an osteopathic college resulted from a painful experience she endured while she was suffering from a curious case of debilitating neuropathic pain. “A few years ago, I couldn’t get a doctor to listen to me when the pain I was experienc- ing seemed to have no apparent underlying cause,” she explained. “I was desperately looking for a doctor to validate my pain and tell me I wasn’t crazy,” she added. “I must have seen six or seven allo- pathic physicians, many of whom questioned my sanity, before one begrudgingly wrote me a referral for physical therapy. It was through physical therapy that I learned the profound healing properties of touch. Having someone take the time to listen to me, validate my pain, and use their hands to correct the structural cause of my pain quite literally saved my life. I was able to throw away the antidepressants, get out of bed, and continue fighting for my health and my future.” Because Reinsch’s goal as a future physician is to use her hands to help ease her patients’ pain, osteo- pathic medicine was a strategic educational choice. “As a practicing osteopathic physician, I will be able to explore alternative treatment modalities for my patients who have tried every kind of medication and allopathic intervention with little to no improvement,” she said. Although she only began her osteopathic studies in the summer of 2019, Reinsch already has her post-NSU plans in sight. They include going into internal medi- cine and possibly pursuing a hematology-oncology fellowship. “My mom passed away from lung cancer when I was eight, so oncology is a field I’m passionate about and believe I could contri- bute to in a meaningful way,” she explained. “However, I am keeping an open mind until I do my clinical rotations, which is when I will hopefully develop a better under- standing of the demands and rewards of each specialty.” Reinsch is also determined to continue to pursue her passion for forensic archaeology work. “I am still employed on an as-needed basis and hope to spend some of my summer working for SEARCH,” she said. “I don’t think I’ll ever stop seeing myself as an archaeolo- gist, no matter how established I become as a physician. Keeping my employment status active with SEARCH is my way of keeping my inner archaeologist alive.” o RISK EQUALS REWARD + “Having someone take the time to listen to me, validate my pain, and use their hands to correct the structural cause of my pain quite literally saved my life. I was able to throw away the antidepressants, get out of bed, and continue fighting for my health and my future.” —KELSEY REINSCH