Guided by life experiences
As a first-year resident at the Medical University of South Carolina, Dr. Uriah Chapman pauses for just a second as he opens the door to see a patient and considers the enormity of having lives entrusted to him. “This is my patient. I am taking ownership of his care,” he said.
Although he knows he has much to learn, he has confidence in how prepared he feels from his time as an MUSC medical student, including an understanding of the care teams, and the rhythm and logistics of work within familiar hospital walls. He is proud of how much he has already mastered, even as compared to just a few years ago.
He also feels keenly the weight of responsibility that comes with practicing medicine. “Nothing can truly prepare you for being a doctor,” he said.
The choice to complete a primary care residency came from Dr. Chapman’s desire to maintain a broad scope of care during training, although he doesn’t rule out the option to pursue a sub-specialty fellowship in the future, possibly in cardiology. “I realized early on in my medical school blocks that I love how internal medicine is so versatile,” he said. “I will be exposed to a lot of different patients and different situations.”
Dr. Chapman’s early life significantly shaped his professional path.
During his youth, his mother battled serious health and dependency issues, resulting in her death when he was in his teens.
He also witnessed the medical struggles of his two younger brothers, from their extended time in the NICU, to multiple subsequent hospitalizations.
His first-hand exposure to complicated medical circumstances continued after college when he trained as an EMT. “One patient in particular reminded me of my mom, and I gained a new perspective on her experiences,” he said. “I learned the importance of taking time to listen. We have no idea what people may be carrying.”
Amidst the pressures of medical training, Dr. Chapman makes a concerted effort to unwind and re-energize. “I have been trying to get better about taking care of myself when I feel exhausted,” he said. “In medical school, I learned some skills for managing my time.”
He credits some of his understanding of how best to balance his time to his open and honest conversations with current residents.
“They are helping me learn how to pace myself,” he explained. “I am learning where and how they struggle, and how they deal with the situations.”
Dr. Chapman’s wife Maryah helps him stay grounded. “Sometimes the best way to treat myself after a hard week is doing the little things together,” he said. “We might try a new restaurant, go visit family, or even just sit down and watch an entire movie.”
Hobbies play an important role in balancing his commitments. Dr. Chapman enjoys listening to music, playing the piano, and playing chess. He has learned that although it’s easy to put off some of these enjoyable moments, it is well worth the effort.
“It’s time well spent, even if I only have an hour a day to devote to it,” he stressed.
He also upholds a few other fundamental practices, including prioritizing sleep when possible, and eating a healthy diet. Faith remains a central part of his life, providing a strong foundation as he navigates a profession filled with mental and physical challenges.
Dr. Chapman entered medicine with an excitement and energy that seem to have only grown during his training. Even though he is only in his first year of residency, he has already identified a few guiding principles that he knows will stay with him throughout his career.
He sees the importance of looking to those more experienced residents and other providers for guidance not only with diagnosis and treatment, but also with how to embrace the important balance between his career and his families’ health and well-being.
He also believes in allowing his patients to guide his approach. Rather than relying on a patient chart, he wants to focus on the humanto-human interaction. “I want to approach my patients with an open mind and open heart,” he said. “That is my goal.”
