Women In Medicine Month: Dr. Casey Patick

September is Women in Medicine Month. We are pleased to share the stories of some of our female physicians.

Casey Patick, MD
Assistant Professor

Meet Dr. Patick

Dr. Casey Patick is our next feature. She is board-certified in Pediatrics.

A career in medicine is a collaborative experience, and support from others is incredibly important. Was there a female mentor in your life that helped you navigate any obstacles in your medical career?

There have been many influential women in my life that have helped me in my medical career. The majority of them have been teachers along the way. Starting in high school, my anatomy and chemistry teachers were very intelligent, hard-working women who helped peak my interest in medicine and science. Also, the women in my family, and women who were my classmates in medical school, were influential. They were always supportive.

Last year the #medbikini broke the internet when a journal article listed wearing a bikini on the beach on personal social media as unprofessional behavior. Do you feel that women are held to a different professionalism standard than men?  

Yes. I think women are held to a different professionalism standard. I think women are looked at a certain way if they are outspoken and men are not. I do think things are changing for the better.

For those of you that have chosen to have children, do you ever feel that society (or even fellow colleagues) attempt to dictate that it is “impossible” to be both a good doctor and a good parent? If so, how do you handle this criticism in your own personal life, and how do you propose we navigate those wrongful judgements in the future?  

I honestly never felt anyone through my medical career made me feel I could not do both. Everyone at Marshall, especially within Pediatrics, is so supportive. It is a family environment. Sometimes as a mother and doctor, you doubt yourself, but if you surround yourself with supportive people, you know you can achieve what you want. You also have to remember to make time for family and put them first.

What advice would you give to a young woman pursuing a career in medicine?

Remember why you chose to do this. Sometimes going through medical school, residency and starting practice, can make you second guess and sometimes make you jaded. Try to remember the passion you have for your field and the trust patients and families are giving you. It’s a privilege to be able to do this.