Derek Dow, MD

Resident

Organization:

West Virginia University School of Medicine

Department:

Emergency Medicine

Classification:

Resident

• MD, USF Health Morsani College of Medicine

Hometown: Cherryfield, Maine
Undergraduate institution: University of California, Los Angeles
Medical school: University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine

Why did you choose WVU?  I became interested in WVU because of my interest in rural medicine. Growing up in Maine I understand firsthand how limited access to healthcare, where the nearest hospital can be hours away, affects people’s health. WVU serves a similar population but has incredible resources that allow them to deal with any and all pathology which is excellent for training. Ultimately, it was the supportive culture and the program’s dedication to helping you succeed that made WVU an obvious choice.

Brief bio:  My drive to practice medicine has been long standing. I was certified to become a lifeguard as soon as I was old enough, and then an EMT during college, where I obtained my Bachelor’s in Neuroscience at UCLA. However, I have worked several odd jobs to support this passion along the way, including sandwich artist, roofing, and gas station attendant. I hope to use all of these experiences to connect with and help serve my patients. Outside of medicine, my hobbies include learning to play various instruments, hiking, and videogames.