Student Spotlight: Carter Powers

Tell us about yourself.

I am originally from Unicoi, Tenn., and I attended Vanderbilt University for college. I majored in molecular biology and completed several years of mosquito immunology research prior to enrolling in medical school. I just applied for internal medicine (IM) residency this past weekend and am interested in pursuing a career in gastroenterology but have not ruled out other potential IM specialties including pulmonary medicine and general IM. At CCLCM, I am also enrolled in the Clinical Research Scholars Program from which I will earn a Master of Science in Clinical Research.

How did the absence of grades and exams benefit your medical school experience?

The absence of grades, exams and rankings allowed me to tailor my learning toward my own goals and not necessarily focus on solely doing well on a test each week. Compared to students from other programs who do have grades and exams, we don’t have to worry about doing practice questions every single day while on busy rotations. This allowed me to focus on spending time with patients and to prioritize my own wellness when rotations had long hours.

What was your reaction to examining a patient for the first time?

During clerkship year, on my first day on a hepatology consult elective, the fellow asked if I wanted to interview and examine a new consult on my own and present him with my thoughts afterward. Eagerly, I accepted and started digging into the patient’s chart. I was nervous, but after a quick pep talk to myself and refresher of my Pocket Medicine guide on the walk to the patient’s room, I interviewed and examined the patient and presented my findings to the fellow. Although I missed a few things in my interview and exam, the experience of guiding another person’s care for the first time was such a standout moment for me, and it gave me the chance to apply everything I had learned up until that point.

How has your experience helped you appreciate working with other professions?

I've worked for several years at the Case Western Reserve University Student-Run Health Clinic, where we offer, among other things, accessible STD screenings and COVID-19 vaccinations to people individuals in the community. At the clinic, I work alongside students from the medical, nursing, PA, dental and social work programs at Case Western to provide a comprehensive visit for patients. Because I’ve served in every role — vaccinator, junior/senior clinician, front desk attendant and clinic coordinator — I’ve been able to see the full scope of the clinic and learn about how different professions can best function together.

What drew you to CCLCM?

The full tuition scholarship was a major driving factor as it allowed me to choose a medical school without having to consider the burden of student loan debt. Another key factor was the emphasis on research education. Being exposed to clinical research for the first time was helpful for me to determine what kind of research I hope to perform during my career.

Describe your research project.

My first project was the focus of my thesis year and was conducted in the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition with Dr. Taha Qazi. For this project, we investigated medical outcomes of patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease that underwent colectomy and ileal-pouch anal anastomosis surgery for their disease. My second project was conducted in the Center for Value-Based Care Research with Dr. Katie Martinez, in which we assessed whether physicians were responsive to updated colorectal cancer screening guidelines that recommend screening initiation at age 45 rather than 50.

Your thesis-year research resulted in a trip to Sweden. Tell us more.

I was honored to present my research at the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation in Stockholm, Sweden earlier this year. I owe thanks to Dr. Qazi who encouraged me to submit my work to the conference. Leaders of major clinical trials present their work at this meeting. Their work becomes the basis of guidelines for treating ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

This trip was also meaningful because it was my first time traveling internationally alone and my first time in Stockholm. I also took a few days after the conference to visit Copenhagen, Denmark, which allowed me to relax before returning to Cleveland.

What excites you most about your future?

I am excited to see where I end up for residency on Match Day!

What advice do you wish you had received prior to starting the program?

It’s okay to feel uncomfortable with ambiguity. I’ve learned that you grow more accustomed to ambiguity over time both in pre-clinical and clinical years, and eventually you learn how to set yourself up for success in unfamiliar scenarios.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying to the program?

If you want balanced training in both clinical practice and research, CCLCM is a terrific place for you.

You read and collect X-Men comics. What other hobbies and activities do you enjoy?

I enjoy going to trivia and bingo nights with my friends, making my own cold brew coffee and browsing Reddit communities.

Fun fact?

I’m a Volunteer Zoo Ambassador at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. My role is to ensure that guests have an enjoyable visit and are familiar with all the zoo has to offer. I help kids spot animals that are sleeping or hiding, aid the zoo with data collection for ongoing research projects and share information about the zoo's conservation efforts with the public. Additionally, my family has raised goats as pets since I was young, and I took multiple Zoology courses in college!