By Dylan Fredericks/reporter
Sandra Davis, a Fort Worth-based psychiatrist with 23 years of experience, presented a speech on April 17 during the Medical Professionals Symposium on South Campus.
The symposium provided information on how students can become a psychiatrist and other medical fields.
A psychiatrists’ knowledge is always expanding, said Davis, who will soon join the faculty of the University of North Texas’ Health Science Center.
“Even after 12 years of school, I’m learning something new every day,” she said.
Davis’ ultimate professional goal is having a positive effect on people struggling with mental illness.
“Being in practice is hard because it’s solo,” she said. “You’re by yourself, but if I went back, residency was the most challenging to become who I am today.”
Davis wants to have an effect on those suffering from mental illness.
“Anyone I can help prevent committing suicide makes me love my job, knowing I can possibly save a patient’s life,” she said. “In reality, part of my job is to give patients hope, let them know there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
South biology associate professor Ping-Sha Sheffield, helped organize the speech.
“It’s an opportunity for the student to get an understanding on the requirements of his or her preferred medical field,” Sheffield said.
South Campus student John Hook attended the speech with his kinesiology class.
Hook is a psychology major, but attended the event to learn about the differences between a psychologist and psychiatrist.
“I went in thinking I knew everything about becoming a psychologist, but I walked away with guidance for my new future,” he said.
During the speech, Hook said he realized he has more interest in becoming a psychiatrist than psychologist.
The difference between the two being, among other things, that psychiatrists can prescribe medication and psychologists can’t.
“Learning that you can save multiple peoples life interests me,” Hook said. “I want to be able to love what I do, and if I can have that much of an effect on someone, then I know I’m doing something positive.”
