After being diagnosed with dysautonomia — a disorder that affects the system in the body that controls functions such as heart rate, blood pressure and balance — in high school, Jillian Weiss decided to become a doctor. She credits the Wayne State University College of Education with preparing her for medical school and providing her with a solid foundation for a career as an emergency medicine physician. 

While studying exercise and sport science, Weiss secured an internship at Henry Ford Hospital in the preventative cardiology department. The opportunity helped her solidify plans for her future. 

“The internship was a valuable learning experience,” she said. “I assisted patients who had different cardiac experiences — like having a stent or a heart transplant — with their rehabilitation, learned about medications and conducted stress tests and EKGs. I also observed a cardiac catheter procedure. It was a nice introduction to the medical field.” 

Weiss’s experience aligns with Wayne State’s College to Career initiative, which seeks to provide all students with “learning by doing” opportunities that allow them to encounter the world, gain deeper insights and new perspectives, and prepare for prosperous careers. 

“The internship gave me an inside look at what happens from the provider standpoint,” she said.  

The exercise and sport science program has long been a viable option for students who are interested in pursuing health careers. Several graduates have established careers as doctors, athletic trainers, physical therapists, occupational therapists and more.  

“With the knowledge and skills I developed in my degree program, I knew I could consider athletic training or physical therapy if I decided not to go into medicine or if I wasn’t admitted to medical school,” Weiss said. “I had several options that were a good second avenue.” 

Weiss said her major and internship experience distinguished her from other medical school applicants. 

“When I interviewed for residencies, everybody was interested in learning more about my background in exercise and sport science because it wasn't the traditional biology or chemistry major,” she said. “I also had all these different experiences — like being a student ambassador — that made me stand out during the application process.” 

Weiss also said the courses she took as an undergraduate student increased her confidence in her abilities and helped her develop competencies other residents did not have.  

“The EKG and pharmacology classes helped me the most because those are the skills I use almost daily in the emergency department,” she said. “Almost every patient who comes to the emergency room gets an EKG because it's a quick test you can relate a lot of things with. You might see 50 EKGs during a shift, so you must know how to conduct and interpret them well. I really know how to do EKGs, and none of the other residents took an EKG class in undergrad. Having that class was beneficial.” 

As a first-year resident in the University of Toledo’s Emergency Medicine Residency program, Weiss worked primarily at ProMedica Toledo Hospital, a level-one trauma center where her background proved to be an asset. 

“Many of the medical conditions that emergency room patients present with are impacted by or worsened by obesity,” she said. “Because of what I learned in the exercise and sport science program, I can talk to them about changing their lifestyle and diet and exercise routines to improve their health because that impacts almost every aspect of health now.” 

Weiss became a second-year resident this summer. She plans to pursue board certification and a career in emergency medicine when she completes her three-year residency. 

“I may consider a sports medicine fellowship afterwards, but I think I want to remain primarily an emergency room doctor,” she said. “I don't want to lose the skills I gain during my residency.” 
 

by Joan Verla and Tracy Boyce