• AC Home
  • News
  • Events
  • Quick Links
Austin College Logo

Sherman, Texas

Apply

Visit

MENU
  • 2022 Issue
    • From the President
    • … Worth a Thousand Words
    • Planet Hunters
    • Austin College Can Feel Like Home – For Everyone
    • The Joy of Giving While We’re Living
    • They’re Somethin’ in the Water
    • How Many Laps Make a Champion?
    • An UP and Coming Sport
    • Arts Prevail in Pandemic Times
    • How to Not Get Lost in the Woods
    • Healing in the Arts
    • From Ida Green to the LA Scene
    • ‘Roo Notes 2022
    • In Other Words
  • Issues
    • 2021 Issue
      • From the President
      • Seeing 20/20
      • On the Front Lines
      • A Broad Worldview Helps Doctors Face a Global Challenge
      • Finding A New Normal
      • Making A Way
      • This Family is All In
      • A Dream Realized
      • No One Plans for a Pandemic
      • Pastoring in 2020
      • CREATE at 5
      • Transformed: Student Success
      • An Expert in the House
      • A Voice for Good Health
      • ‘Roo Notes 2021
      • In Other Words
    • 2020 Issue
      • From the President
      • Global Life: ‘Roos Around the World
      • Good to Go
      • Just Keep Running
      • Pledged to the Public Good
      • Leaves Book and Tea Shop
      • Public Health Program Provides Popular Major and Minor
      • Power to the ‘Roos
      • ‘Roo Notes 2020
      • In Other Words
    • 2019 Issue
      • From the President
      • TWELVE
      • The Making of a Legend
      • One Legend’s Story
      • Sacred Expressions
      • Powering the Future
      • Fierce and Friendly
      • The Stories of the Stones
      • Truth in Art
      • ′Roo Notes 2019
      • In Other Words
    • Winter 2018
      • Snapshot
      • From the President
      • Along Grand Avenue
      • The President’s Home at Wood House
      • Roots
      • Home Team
      • 100 Years of Co-Education
      • President Steven P. O’Day
      • Giving to Prepare Future Servant Leaders
      • ‘Roo Notes
      • In Other Words
    • July 2017
      • Snapshot
      • Roots
      • From the Interim President
      • Along Grand Avenue
      • Home Team
      • The Adventure of a Lifetime
      • Au Revoir
      • The Momentum of Discovery
      • ‘Roo Notes
      • In Other Words
    • January 2017
      • From the President
      • For Love of the Game … and the Players
      • This Is Us – Diverse and United
      • Snapshot
      • Roots
      • Along Grand Avenue
      • Home Team
      • ‘Roo Notes
      • In Other Words
    • Winter 2016
      • From the President
      • Snapshot
      • Roots
      • Along Grand Avenue
      • Home Team
      • Living the Liberal Arts
      • At Home in the Rainforest
      • ‘Roo Notes
      • In Other Words
    • Summer 2015
      • From the President
      • Snapshot
      • Roots
      • Along Grand Avenue
      • Community Impact
      • Of Gratitude and Wonder
      • Home Team
      • Reimagining the Liberal Arts in A Digital Age
      • Medical Experience in Mexico
      • ‘Roo Notes
      • In Other Words
    • Spring 2014
      • From the President
      • Snapshot
      • Roots
      • Along Grand Avenue
      • Preventing Pandemic
      • Home Team
      • A Wild Semester
      • The Bottom Line is Greener
      • The Business of Learning
      • Blazing Trails
      • An IDEA Realized
      • ‘Roo Notes
      • In Other Words
    • Winter 2014
      • From the President
      • Snapshot
      • Roots
      • Along Grand Avenue
      • Making A Difference in the Natural World
      • The Mentor Advantage
      • ‘Roos Who Write
      • Storytellers’ Gift
      • Strategic Plan
      • Home Team
      • ‘Roo Notes
      • In Other Words
    • Summer 2013
      • From the President
      • Snap Shot
      • Roots: On the Road Again
      • Along Grand Avenue
      • Heard Around Campus
      • The Austin College Experience
      • Looking Back and Planning Ahead
      • Faculty Retirees Reflect
      • The Business of Food
      • Class of 2013 Takes on the World
      • A Legacy of Law
        • What is Pre-Law?
      • Dr. Kenneth Street
      • Making History
      • Home Team
      • ‘Roo Notes
      • In Other Words
    • Fall 2012/Winter 2013
      • From the President
      • Mission Around the Globe
      • My Summer of Learning
      • Views of the Outback
      • Our Identity
      • IDEA Center Challenge
      • Investing in Austin College
      • Snap Shot: Opening Convocation
      • Roots: Majestic Music
      • Along Grand Avenue
      • Home Team
      • ‘Roo Notes
      • In Other Words
    • Summer 2012
      • From the President
      • Detours to Adventure
      • At the Core of Excellence
      • Who Values Education? WE DO!
      • Sowing the Seeds
      • Banned, Buoyed, & Laureled:
      • A Lifetime In College
      • Snap Shot: Commencement
      • Along Grand Avenue
      • Heard Around Campus
      • Home Team
      • ‘Roo Notes
      • In Other Words
      • Roos for Roos
    • Spring 2012
      • From the President
      • Postcards from Abroad
      • Costa Rica Sisters
      • Texas Super Lawyers
      • An American in…Bucharest
      • My Internship in Congress
      • Along Grand Avenue
      • Home Team
      • ‘Roo Notes
    • Winter 2012
      • From the President
      • Along Grand Avenue
      • A Century of Science
        • Digging the Antarctic
        • Science in Everyday Life
        • Alumnus Integral To The Manhattan Project
        • Starry, Starry Nights
        • Telling Her Story
        • Celebrating the Unknown
        • A Look Back
      • ‘Roo Notes
      • In Other Words
    • Fall 2011
      • From the President
      • A New Year Begins
        • Meet the Class of 2015
        • Pieces of Home
        • Enrollee to Student
        • Freshman Legacies
        • The Summer Read
      • Gifts That Matter
        • Making Moments Matter
      • Along Grand Avenue
      • Home Team
      • ‘Roo Notes
      • Honor Roll of Donors
    • Summer 2011
      • From the President
      • Along Grand Avenue
      • Commencement Photos
      • The Many Faces of Success
      • Ghost Light
      • Time
      • In Full Bloom: Lives of Success
      • The Light Shines for Texas
      • Home Team
      • ‘Roo Notes
      • In Other Words
    • Spring 2011
      • From the President
      • From the Editor
      • JanTerm 2011
      • Commencement 2011
      • ACtivator Event #500
      • The Homesick Texan
      • Remembering Chase Gaddy
      • Along Grand Avenue
      • Home Team
      • ‘Roo Notes
      • In Other Words
  • Archives
  • Contact Us
Info For...
  • AC Home
  • News
  • Events
  • Quick Links
Home » Issues » 2021 Issue » A Broad Worldview Helps Doctors Face a Global Challenge

A Broad Worldview Helps Doctors Face a Global Challenge

Hundreds of Austin College alumni work in the medical profession,
delivering care in varying specialties all over the world.

Dr. Tamir Anver with his familyDr. Tamir Anver, D.D.S. ’08
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
Texas Center for Oral Surgery and Dental Implants
Denton, Texas

As an oral surgeon, my 10 years of post-graduate training, which included dental school, medical school, and a surgical residency, provided me with a unique skill set that allows me to manage  complex cases and compromised patients. That experience moved to a whole new level in spring 2020, when conventional health care was shut down and dental offices were permitted only to see  emergencies. Most of the practices in the area did not feel comfortable handling even emergencies due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and the lack of appropriate PPE, but those  concerns didn’t do away with the patients who genuinely needed help. Many of them ended up in my office, but with the support of my family, and the mission of service rooted in me from my  Islamic faith, I experienced exactly zero days of shutdown. I firmly believe that my daily prayers for the safety of my family, my staff, and my patients allow us to stay focused on helping patients  during a frightening and uncertain time.


Dr. Edgar AraizaDr. Edgar Araiza, M.D. ’07
Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon
Methodist Dallas Medical Center
Dallas, Texas

The first weeks of the pandemic, not all trauma patients were tested for COVID-19 as they were presenting to the hospital for their accidents. We operated on patients for six weeks without  knowing the amount of personal exposure. After we started testing and recognized how prevalent the disease was in the community, we began reusing our respirator masks in order to save PPE for  our cases. We have increased our stockpile of PPE, but the initial weeks were scarce. Now, you will get urgent/emergent care to stabilize and save you, regardless of the COVID-19 status. But, if  you are positive for COVID, there can be a delay of 10 to 21 days depending on your symptoms and overall health.

Austin College prepares you for worldwide pandemics by exposing you to the world … and teaching you the importance of multiple points of view, research, training, and cooperation required to  address modern dilemmas. Austin College pushes you to not live in a bubble that does not exist.


See Doctors on the Front Lines for more alumni feedback on how COVID-19 has
affected their work in all kinds of medical settings. Thanks to all who responded.


Dr. Virginia WellsDr. Virginia Wells, M.D. ’81
Chief Medical Officer, Director of Medical Services | Team Physician
William & Mary University
Williamsburg, Virginia

Serving on the W&M Public Health Advisory Committee required me to use the evaluative and analytical skills fostered in the Arts. Tackling the COVID response required both critical and creative thinking—skills I believe my education at Austin College afforded me.

The COVID restrictions have been an adjustment for the student-athletes as they are accustomed to spending time together outside of practice. Because they were unable to gather socially, it was  difficult for the older students to mentor the incoming student-athletes. Additionally, the adjustment to practicing and training in masks was difficult as we had to try several different brands to  find one that was comfortable and allowed the players to breathe when the intensity of practice was elevated. The uncomfortable nasal swab COVID testing was not a favorite activity for the  William & Mary student-athletes; however, our success with low prevalence of infection after nine weeks of training helped to reinforce the notion that all these mitigation efforts were worth it.


Dr. Linya YangDr. Linya Yang, M.D. ’00
Family Medicine Physician
Beth Israel Lahey Health
Boston, Massachusetts

Working as a physician during COVID-19 has been a challenge but an overall learning and rewarding experience. As a family medicine physician at a large Boston hospital, I went from seeing  patients in my office to mostly telemedicine within two days. These visits have been interesting as they bring me into my patients’ homes and vice versa. I have to be creative with how I do a  physical exam as I tell and/or show a patient what to do which, I believe, creates a partnership in care. My experiences have allowed me to focus more on the patients’ words, especially when  discussing mental health concerns or patient fears with COVID-19.

Being able to care for my patients and others during the COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced why I decided to go into medicine. While I will admit there were times when I was afraid and worried  that my staff, family, or I would become ill with COVID-19, even with taking all precautions, I would not trade my experiences from the past several months.

GET IN TOUCH

903.813.2000
Austin College
900 N. Grand Ave.
Sherman, TX 75090

Contact Us

GET SOCIAL

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

GET LINKED

  • Quick Links
  • Human Resources
  • Campus Offices
  • Directory
  • Email

GET CONNECTED

Subscribe to Austin College E-Communication

Connect to AC

Copyright © 2022 - All rights reserved | Privacy Policy | Consumer Information | Site by thrive-logo