Why Become a Doctor? Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center Celebrates National Doctor’s Day

As a General Surgeon, and a part of Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center’s Medical Staff, I am often asked to speak to students who are interested in – or on a path to – a career in medicine. With the celebration of National Doctor’s Day on March 30th, I am reminded of the critical role played by mentors, as both educator and cheerleader, for the practitioners of tomorrow. Especially as we face an increasing physician shortage, perhaps greater than any time in modern history. Recent estimates from the Association of American Medical Colleges indicate that the U.S. will see a shortage of between 60,000 and 95,000 primary care and specialty physicians by the year 2025.

Everyone knows the path to becoming a physician is a rigorous one – four years of medical school, three to five years of residency and 100+ hour work weeks during those years. The pressures of medical practice have increased dramatically with modern technology and administrative requirements, reduced reimbursement, and more. These are not exactly effective tools for recruiting new medical students! So, I’d like to share some of the great answers physicians gave to the question: “Why should I consider becoming a doctor?”

1. You get to do cool things most people will never have the chance to do. No matter what your specialty, you are critical to furthering the life spans of your patients. A quote from a medical blog says, “I figure I save about one life a week, on average. And I’m just a psychiatrist.”
2. Your medical training prepares you for a successful life. You’re likely to be a good decision maker, simply because you must do it constantly in situations where the stakes can be high.
3. You relieve more than physical pain. You address your patients’ vulnerability to not just disease, but also to loneliness, fear, and anxiety. There’s no doubt that many people will survive and thrive, simply because you listened.
4. You have influence. Just by virtue of your profession, you earn respect in your community. You can use this power to effect real change in the world, and not just on healthcare issues.
5. You have actual job security. Yes, healthcare has been hit hard economically, but there are always FAR more people who need doctors than there are doctors.
6. You make a real difference. Despite the challenges, you have a job that provides a genuine service to the public, with tangible results and healthier patients. That’s quite a privilege.

Beyond all of these great reasons, the providers affiliated with Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center are true inspirations for young people to pursue careers in medicine. The quality of our medical staff is validated by the appreciative feedback and thanks we receive from patients and their families. From our dedicated primary care and ED physicians, to the hospitalists working around the clock in inpatient care, to the skilled surgeons and specialists, it is my privilege to work with them in caring for our community.

Shiva Seetahal, MD is a General Surgeon on the Medical Staff at Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center.

Shiva Seetahal, MD
Board certified General Surgeon
Fellowship trained in Minimally-invasive and Bariatric surgery
Heart of Florida Physician Group Surgical Specialists
410 Lionel Way, Ste 104, Davenport 33837
HeartOfFloridaPhysicianGroup.com
Call863-421-7626

About Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center
Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center, a 193-bed acute care facility located in Davenport, Fla., believes in providing quality, compassionate health care to the communities it serves. Heart of Florida is an accredited hospital by the Joint Commission and an accredited Chest Pain Center by the Society for Cardiovascular Patient Care. These distinctions mean that Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center puts quality health care front and center. To learn more about inpatient or outpatient services, community education, or to find a physician, call Call866-997-DOCS. Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center is owned in part by physicians.