Medicine in the Mountains Inspires the Next Generation of Physicians

By Kelly Rowe Coordinator of Public Relations

At her childhood home in Magoffin County, Ky., a young Jamie Castle and her sister mourned the loss of a “pet” frog. Eager to understand what caused the amphibian’s untimely passing, Castle inquisitively dissected the frog. The would-be physician was at an early age, eager to make sense of the medical mystery in her front yard. It was with a frog that her heart for others and passion for service began.

With her days of frog dissection far behind her, Castle now learns about the human anatomy. Still brimming with compassion and an eagerness to serve, the first-year medical student at the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine (KYCOM) continues pursuing her childhood excitement for learning. Every step that brought her to this moment has been carefully guided by a goal Castle set for herself all those years ago as a young child.

Aside from having the vision and drive for medical school at an early age, Castle was also a star student at UPIKE during her undergraduate career. As a basketball player for the Bears and an Osteopathic Medical Scholars Program (OMSP) student, Castle flourished during her undergraduate studies. Balancing the challenges of being a student-athlete along with the eight-year OMSP program that allows students to not only obtain their bachelor’s degree but also their degree in Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from KYCOM wasn’t always easy.

Castle credits numerous mentors for propelling her forward, but perhaps the most influential was her own pediatrician and KYCOM graduate Tiffany Mills, D.O. With a bond and trusted relationship that surpasses many others in a child’s development, Mills gave Castle’s interest in medicine a path from childhood fascination to career.

“Dr. Tiffany Mills has been such an inspiration to me. As my personal pediatrician, she cared for me and provided true patient-centered care,” says Castle. Even after Mills ignited her career interest from the care she felt as a patient, Castle had the unique perspective to see the same from a professional standpoint after shadowing the physician.

“I realized Dr. Mills was committed to serving and putting each patient’s care and needs first in her practice of medicine. Under her wing, I saw first-hand the importance of preventative care, the true portrayal of empathy and the practice of the holistic approach,” remembers Castle. As a direct result of the trust and admiration established from that relationship, Castle has hopes to specialize in pediatrics.

“Like Dr. Mills, it is my wish to be an empathetic physician committed to building strong patient-doctor relationships and providing the best possible care,” says Castle.

Beyond her interest in emulating her role model, Castle has an even broader goal for her life. Directly in line with KYCOM’s mission, the student says she, too, wants to practice with an emphasis on providing primary health care to patients in underserved rural areas.

“This mission is parallel with my personal goal,” says Castle. “Calling the foothills of Appalachia home means that I have witnessed the desperate needs of health care. I seek to serve those who are underserved, and those who feel marginalized.”

For Castle, being aligned with a medical school that shares in her ideals will be the guiding force for the next chapters of her journey.

“KYCOM is well-known for producing graduates committed to serving the needs of underserved Appalachian regions and other rural areas, and I am honored to be on my way to becoming one of those graduates. I am committed to fulfilling this mission in which I and KYCOM share.”