America faces a shortage of rural doctors, and that shortage looks to get worse in the coming decade (1).
Brother Christopher Bushnell (Upsilon ‘23) grew up in a rural area outside of Syracuse and keenly feels the needs of rural communities and their need for highly qualified doctors. This fall, Bushnell matriculates to Liberty College, enrolled in a course of osteopathic medicine. Regarding his own future, Bushnell states:
“I hope to one day work in a rural area where I can provide high-quality compassionate care, and patients do not have to travel extensive distances in order to receive expert treatment.”
Bushnell knew he wanted to pursue medicine and chose the path of an osteopathic doctor. Those in society who pursue Greek linguistics rather than medical careers might be forgiven for confusing osteopathy with orthopedics—the latter being the specialty of bone doctors. However, modern osteopathic medicine involves full medical training with a scientific outlook, emphasizing the holistic treatment of patients.
Limited access to care in rural areas becomes even more critical when it comes to specialists. Medical doctors who treat the body as a whole are often better equipped to deliver high-quality care. For Bushnell, choosing this path arose from a desire to:
“Learn how to treat more than symptoms as I help my patients achieve health through a holistic approach in mind, body, and spirit.”
Bushnell graduates at the end of Spring semester 2023 with an honors degree in Biology. Beyond his academic achievements, he contributed to university resources by working for years as an undergraduate research assistant and teacher’s aid in genetics.
Outside of academia, he volunteered for two years at the Wilmot Cancer Institute, doing hospitality intake and connecting with patients on a personal level. When describing the experience, Bushnell acknowledges the clinical tasks but highlights what he values most:
“I provided company and compassion to patients and their families.”
Outside of the fraternity and the classroom, Bushnell takes care of his own body. He swims on the varsity team for the University of Rochester and enjoys hiking, camping, and other outdoor sportsman activities.
