Past student intern, Kelsey Krigstein, now an MD…
It has been 10 years since Kelsey Krigstein graduated from our Teen Healthcare Internship and Training Program. Kelsey participated in the program her sophomore year to her senior year in high school, after a family friend and clinic volunteer introduced her to the clinic. Kelsey knew since the age of 10 that she wanted to be a doctor.
As a WFC teen intern, Kelsey learned the importance of listening to the patient. She observed how the physicians would interact with patients of different cultures and how they would listen to the patients’ struggles, knowing that sometimes there is no single problem to diagnose or fix, but that simply listening can be one of the most powerful tools, because sometimes support is the only thing that is needed. Kelsey became comfortable talking to the patients, and working at the clinic sparked her interest in community medicine and working with the underserved population. Kelsey’s mom and dad both volunteer at WFC. Joan Stern said she was so appreciative of what WFC had offered her daughter, that she wanted to get involved. Joan was one of the founding members of WFC’s Friends Board. She is now a college counselor supporting WFC’s high school interns with college applications and FAFSA forms, so 100% of WFC’s students have a chance to attend college and reach their dreams.
Kelsey went to college in 2008 with a full 4-year scholarship and received her undergraduate degree in Biology from USC. Kelsey then completed medical school at USC Keck School of Medicine. Kelsey said that during her college and residency application process, she found her experience at WFC provided her with meaningful things to write and talk about during the selection process. The clinic had given Kelsey the exposure and experience she needed, to know that she truly did want to become a doctor. Kelsey said the experience at WFC also taught her about the importance of human connection, so once in medical school, talking to patients, and more importantly listening to them, came easily compared to some of her classmates. She also was inspired to see medicine from a whole person approach that includes health promoting activities, like nutrition, yoga, and exercise, that she plans to include in her own medical practice.
Kelsey is currently a third year resident in Family Medicine and set to complete her residency in June 2019. She is so happy to finally be practicing as a doctor. Kelsey continues to visit the clinic when she is in town to talk to the new WFC high school interns about her journey, and looks forward to returning to clinic and seeing patients.
