As early as kindergarten, Chelsea knew she wanted to become a doctor. Before she had learned her multiplication tables or how to read, she had already developed a passion for bringing healing to others. Much of Chelsea’s journey began in waiting rooms and hospitals, as her father, Lance, navigated his autoimmune disease for more than 15 years. Growing up with a loved one facing illness might make some want to run as far away from the medical setting as possible. For Chelsea, it drew her closer to it. Throughout her K-12 experience, Chelsea’s passion for healthcare slowly bloomed.
When reflecting on her time at Denver Christian, Chelsea noted how well-rounded she was able to become. Chelsea pursued a variety of activities, classes, and experiences, instead of just sticking to her comfort zone. Chelsea excelled in her studies, graduating as the valedictorian. She also competed in a variety of sports, extra-curricular activities, and volunteered. Through this wide range of experiences, the through line was always faith in Christ. Chelsea notes how, “every class–chemistry, calculus, or poetry, took the subject matter and asked, “how does this fit into my worldview?”” Chelsea believes that this sincere inquiry into other ideas prepared her well for the rest of her life outside of the community she grew up in. Instead of shying away from faith upon graduation and matriculation into a large public state school, Chelsea was able to draw upon the deep well of spiritual depth that had been cultivated throughout her childhood.
While some might feel that a small school or faith based education is limiting, Chelsea sees it as one of the primary opportunities in her professional life. Chelsea applied for a bachelor’s program at Virginia Commonwealth University with a guaranteed admission into their medical school (provided the candidate maintains academic and professional requirements). Many students spend years and years specifically curating their resume to fit this type of program. After discovering that thousands of students apply for the program, Chelsea was thrilled just to be invited for an on-campus interview. She says, “I left thinking there was no way.” Now, Chelsea believes that her well-rounded education allowed her full personality and perspective to shine through her application, securing one of only ten spots in the program. Amidst many long hours and vigorous studies, Chelsea’s passion for medicine continued to flourish. However, her perspective about health changed drastically when she went from future practitioner to patient.
Chelsea began to experience hip pain starting her high school volleyball years. However, between her junior and senior years of college, the pain had become so severe that she needed more intensive treatment. She underwent surgery for hip dysplasia that summer. After a routine surgery, Chelsea experienced minor breathing problems. As she went into a CT scan, Chelsea went into cardiac arrest, coding in the scanner. The doctors performed 8 minutes of CPR, and Chelsea was considered clinically dead. Miraculously she was able to be revived, and after spending a week in the ICU, Chelsea woke up. “The Denver Christian community surrounded me from all around the world,” Chelsea says. Now, she understands even more how unbelievable her recovery was. The likelihood of recovering with full memory and mental function after that type of event is at most between 2-5%.
This unanswerable mystery obviously shook Chelsea as she dealt with the physical and psychological ramifications of her experience. “It was an integral moment in my journey,” Chelsea says. “I got to see the other side of medicine–it afforded me a unique perspective.” Through her work, Chelsea has been able to take this devastating and traumatic experience and use it to nourish her empathy for her patients, family members, friends, etc.
As Chelsea recovered, she not only had a new hip to adjust to, but the reality of enduring medical trauma. Returning to the medical setting for school wasn’t easy, but Chelsea was determined. Chelsea leaned on her mentors in the VCU community, her medical team, her family, and ultimately, her faith, as she completed her program with a 4.0GPA. After graduating with her bachelor’s, Chelsea took a year before beginning the medical school portion of her program.
Chelsea completed her residency in General Surgery at the University of South Alabama. Chelsea served as the Administrative Chief Resident. Now, Chelsea is a Complex General Surgical Oncology fellow at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. In surgical oncology, Chelsea handles meticulous procedures as she helps patients facing a variety of cancers and complex diagnoses. Because of the nature of patient diagnoses, Chelsea has more long-term relationships with them and their families than a surgeon might in other specialties. Chelsea believes that her own journey has prepared her for these relationships. Being on the patient side is an entirely different experience that not all surgeons are familiar with. Chelsea believes that God has used her own experience to nourish her empathy and ability to care for her patients well.
Another support that has remained constant throughout Chelsea’s life is the support and camaraderie of other Christian doctors. She has been involved in the Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA) since her time at VCU. In addition to connecting with others in Bible study and fellowship, she has been a part of surgical missions with other attendings and colleagues.
Chelsea remains connected with her faith community, especially through CMDA. Through every move, she says that she has realized the importance of connecting with others who provide comradery, support, and encouragement through the journey of being a Christian physician. It can be difficult to sustain a passion for medicine in a field that is so grueling and demanding. Through her own journey, Chelsea has seen just how difficult the reality of healthcare is, but still remains deeply passionate about bringing the healing she experienced to the world around her.