Humans of UMB
It's easy to get caught up in the hustle of medical school. Take a moment to meet some familiar faces in crowd from around UMB. Don't forget to say hi!
Photographs and Information posted with the verbal consent of the interview subject
Dr. Laura Buchanan, Trauma Surgeon at STC
On Baltimore: I did medical school and surgical residency at WVU. I came here for fellowship and loved it so I decided to stay. I grew up in a small town in Illinois and then WVU where the football stadium holds more people than the town so I like Baltimore. I like being in a city that is close to other things. Why Trauma Surgery? I went into medical school thinking I wanted to go into primary care and geriatrics. I thought all surgeons were mean. I did my rotation and worked such crazy hours. but time just flew by in the OR. I still wanted to stick with geriatrics. My family had an intervention; they told me “You were happier in those 8 weeks than we’ve seen you in a long time”. I like not knowing what I’m going to do that day; it’s always a surprise. Another thing I love about trauma surgery is that there’s no chance to judge your patient—you just take care of the patient. What do you love about STC? Every single person is focused on doing everything they can for the patient. Nobody is occupied with other things. This amazing place would not exist without the culture Dr. Scalea creates. Hobbies: I have an 11-year old daughter who is very serious about dancing. She goes to NYC a few times a week for pre-professional programs. I also enjoy biking—my house is in the woods so I like to enjoy the outdoors. Advice: You’re going to be 10 years older in 10 years; don’t cut your education short to do something you won’t be happy with. Education is always worth it. Greatest Accomplishment: Last year, the graduating class of medical students gave me a teaching award. And the graduating surgery resident class gave me a teaching award. I was so surprised by both! |
Deborah Schurman, Cashier at the UMMC Cafeteria
On working at UMMC: I’ve been working for the University for 8 years now. I like working here. I love the people I get to see everyday. Before I came to university, I was working in patient care services at other hospitals, too. I like working in the cafeteria because I can see employees and families of patients. I can sense when customers are having a bad day or are under a lot of pressure and I always say a prayer for them. I’ve had a few patients come back and tell me how I’ve helped them through a difficult time by just being supportive and smiling. Words of advice: Always keep your chin-up and push on. Always think positive. Some people who come through here may have an attitude, but you don’t know what they’re going through. Always understand that you don’t know what people are going through. Greatest Accomplishment: I’ve been married 37 years! Keeping our family together has been my greatest achievement. My husband and I have worked hard at our marriage to keep it going—we always work as a team. Hobbies: I love working in my vegetable garden. I love yard-work and taking walks on the track or at the park. I grow cabbage, zucchini, and squash. If I could have my way, I’d have a bigger yard to grow vegetables. Ask me about: My 4 kids and 10 grandchildren…and one more on the way! If you had 10 million dollars: I’d have a big garden and helping the homeless by giving them a place to stay and a job helping me with my garden. |
Michelle McGlotten, "Campus Mom"
Background: Born and raised in Baltimore; has worked at UMB since 2000 Hobbies: Traveling (Recent trip to Vegas!), Hairstyling (Has own home studio), "Old school stuff, like skating and bowling." On working at the UMB Bookstore for over 10 years: “I enjoy working with students. Sometimes you know your calling, and I feel this is my calling. I’m like the “mother of campus” in many ways, because many of the students have to interact with me. Students can come in and vent to me and I do my best to give them some encouragement. You have got to stick it out... I’m a people person. I’ve always been that way. Overall you’ll see my smile…It takes too much energy to be angry all the time. Nice people and nice interactions keep me going. I see the frowns on students’ faces, and that make me say ‘You gotta keep your head up.’” On long term plans and motherhood: “I’m getting to the point where I don’t want to work anymore, but I work for my children. I want them to be stable, independent and successful. It’s the way my mother raised me, and it’s the values that I want to instill in my kids...Do you, and get yourself in a stable position where you don’t have to depend on anybody. But we all need help sometimes, and it’s ok to ask for it, but you have to carry your own. But there is always someone in your corner.” |
Lee Preston Jr. , Security Personnel, Howard Hall
Background: Born and raised in West Baltimore. Graduate of Walbrook Senior HS, Class of 1994. Father of four children! On High School Football: “I played defensive end freshman through junior year, but unfortunately broke my collar bone. I never played offense, only defense. Something about the art of hitting people that I liked.” On Baltimore Football: “I was a Colts fan, but when they left, I became a Raiders fan. I’ve been a Raven’s fan since they came, but after this season, I don’t know if I can do it anymore. The Ravens are too hot and cold.” On raising four children: “I’m very proud of all my children. Obviously there were some pitfalls, but they haven’t fallen victim. Kudos to all my children." On Previous line of work in animal research facilities at the VA and JHU: “I enjoyed [the work], but some of it didn’t sit right with me. I felt I was mistreating animals, and some primates. I didn’t want to compromise the experiments though. So I decided this line of work wasn’t for me anymore.” Any words of advice?: “Make sure you love what you do. If you love it, it’s not work.” Favorite Book: The Art of War - Sun Tzu Ask me About: Interesting stories from work within animal research facilities, and hobbies such as sports, video games, reading and making stop-motion films! |