My Path to Becoming an OB/GYN & Why I Chose This Specialty (My Story)

My Journey to Becoming an OB/GYN

Welcome to the OB/GYN Resident Survival Guide! I have been wanting to start this podcast for quite some time, and I’m so excited to finally be here doing it. Before diving into clinical content, I thought it would be helpful to introduce myself and share my journey to becoming an OB/GYN.

From Journalism to Medicine

I was born and raised in Vancouver, BC, Canada. In high school, I excelled in the arts—English, social studies, writing, and literature. Because I loved writing and knew where my strengths lay, I initially pursued a career in journalism, novel writing, or filmmaking. I was very interested in the entertainment industry and applied to journalism and communications programs in both Canada and the United States.

In September 2010, I moved to Ottawa, Ontario, to begin my Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies. I really enjoyed the program, and at the time, medicine was never part of my plan. Even though both my parents were in healthcare, it didn’t appeal to me at all.

A Life-Changing Experience

During my third year of undergrad, I had significant exposure to individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. I, too, was struggling with anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. Seeking help, I went to a family doctor who started me on medication and therapy, which completely changed my life for the better.

This experience led me to take a semester off to focus on my mental health and reevaluate my career path. I realized I wanted to be for others what my doctor had been for me—someone who provided the tools and resources necessary for recovery. With zero science background, I began exploring how I could transition into medicine.

The Road to Medical School

After researching my options, I decided to pursue medical school with the goal of becoming a psychiatrist. I enrolled in pre-med courses but quickly realized that completing the prerequisites for Canadian and U.S. medical schools would add several years to my undergraduate studies. Determined to expedite the process, I explored medical schools abroad and ultimately chose Saint James School of Medicine.

At Saint James, I completed my basic sciences in St. Vincent and the Grenadines over 16 months and later completed my clinical rotations in Chicago, IL. Throughout medical school, I was set on becoming a psychiatrist—until my OB/GYN rotation changed everything.

Falling in Love with OB/GYN

Before starting my OB/GYN rotation, I had little interest in the specialty. I didn’t want to perform pelvic exams all day, I wasn’t drawn to surgery, and the lifestyle seemed overwhelming. However, in what I believe was a divine turn of events, my psychiatry rotation was moved to the end of my third year, and OB/GYN took its place.

I entered the rotation with low expectations, but to my surprise, I found myself enjoying it more than I anticipated. I loved the patient interactions, the variability in daily tasks, and the excitement of surgery and labor and delivery. I also had an incredible mentor who made a significant impact on my experience. Despite my initial resistance, I couldn’t deny that I was being pulled toward this field.

The Final Decision

Even after my OB/GYN rotation, I was still holding out for psychiatry. However, when I finally started my psych rotation, it wasn’t what I had expected. While there wasn’t anything inherently wrong with it, I couldn’t stop thinking about OB/GYN. Every rotation afterward only reinforced my longing to be back in labor and delivery or the operating room.

I signed up for OB/GYN electives and sub-internships, and after months of hard work, I matched into an OB/GYN residency in March 2020. In July 2020, I began my intern year at Mercy Hospital in Chicago. However, a few months later, the hospital announced it was shutting down, requiring all residents to transfer to other programs.

A Blessing in Disguise

Though it was a stressful situation, transferring turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I moved to the OB/GYN residency program at Loma Linda University in California, where I had an incredible experience. Residency was the hardest but most rewarding four years of my life. I learned so much about medicine, women’s health, relationships, and myself.

Paying It Forward

Now, as an attending physician, I have the privilege of working with amazing patients, colleagues, residents, and students. Throughout my journey, I received invaluable support from mentors and faculty, and I want to give back to the next generation of trainees. That’s why I started this podcast—to help medical students and residents navigate their training and become outstanding OB/GYN doctors.

If you're interested in free downloadable resources for students pursuing OB/GYN and current OB/GYN residents, visit drkcmiller.com/freedownloads. The link will also be in the show notes.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. I look forward to sharing more with you soon!