Preceptors play a pivotal role in the journey of medical students. As students transition from the classroom to clinics, preceptors become mentors, guiding the students through real patient interactions and instilling the confidence needed to become future physicians.听
For over 30 years, Dr. Michael Keeley has been a dedicated preceptor for the 黑料网.听听
鈥淚鈥檝e done it for as long as I鈥檝e been in practice, and it鈥檚 always been super fun,鈥� Keeley said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 good for the students to see what the practice of medicine is really like. When you鈥檙e studying so much, it鈥檚 good to see what it鈥檚 going to be like when you鈥檙e finished.鈥�听
A 1989 graduate of the School of Medicine, Keeley practices at Atrium Health Women’s Care Shelby OB/GYN. He welcomes 黑料网 students into his practice in Shelby, North Carolina, offering them a firsthand look at the medical field.听
Keeley is continually impressed by the fresh perspectives and knowledge that medical students bring. Often, they鈥檒l pose questions he doesn鈥檛 immediately know the answer to. A few hours later, they return with well-researched answers, enhancing his own understanding.听
鈥淚 share my love of medicine with them and the joy I find in taking care of patients. Then, they share their new knowledge with me,鈥� Keeley said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so cool. It鈥檚 a give and take. I teach them, but they also teach me.鈥�听
An unmatched commitment
Being a preceptor has allowed Keeley to connect with countless individuals over the years. For instance, Dr. Katie Borders was once one of Keeley鈥檚 students.听
鈥淒r. Keeley’s commitment to medical education is really unmatched,鈥� Borders 鈥�09 (MD) said. 鈥淗e was my Community Week preceptor from my first semester of medical school. He immediately had me talking to and examining patients, and I even delivered a baby during my first week!鈥�听
Keeley encouraged Borders to pursue obstetrics and gynecology and to return to Shelby to practice. Today, Borders is one of Keeley鈥檚 partners at Atrium Health Women’s Care Shelby OB/GYN.听
鈥淗is mentorship continued when I was a new attending physician and developed into a true friendship over my time here,鈥� Borders said. 鈥淚’m so grateful to have had such a dedicated, supportive teacher who is now a partner and friend.鈥�听
Keeley cherishes the lasting friendships he has formed with his students, keeping in touch throughout their training and careers. Beyond being their preceptor, he enjoys getting to know them personally. He鈥檚 attended weddings, exchanged Christmas cards, and reconnected with many in the field.听
Recently, he attended the 53rd Annual OB/GYN Spring Symposium chaired by his former student, Dr. Rachael Cowherd. During her first two years of medical school, Cowherd 鈥�15 (MD) worked with Keeley as her preceptor for four different one-week rural medicine experiences in primary care.听
鈥淒r. Keeley allowed me to first assist in cesarean sections and vaginal hysterectomies, independently obtain complex social and medical histories, practice ultrasound skills, and build rapport with his lifelong patients,鈥� Cowherd said. 鈥淭hese experiences fostered my love for obstetrics and gynecology – the field in which I chose to train and now practice and teach.鈥�听
Cowherd and Keeley stay in touch, visiting each other about once a year to share stories of medicine, life, and family.听
鈥淚 remain grateful for not just the lessons he shared about medicine but also the invaluable example he set in developing patient trust, balancing work and family, and much more,鈥� Cowherd said.
Rekindling the excitement
听Keeley remains excited about the future of medicine, energized by the aspiring physicians around him. They remind him of the privilege it is to be a doctor.
鈥淲hen new students come to your practice, they have so many good questions,鈥� Keeley said. 鈥淭hey say 鈥榃ow, you do this every day?鈥� It rekindles that excitement to say, 鈥榃ow, how lucky I am to be able to help these people.鈥� They鈥檙e excited to be learning and excited to be beginning their careers in medicine. It helps me realize how blessed I am to do what I do every day.鈥�听
Over the years, Keeley has been an incredible advocate for women鈥檚 care. Borders, Cowherd, and others are evidence of the number of OBGYN doctors coming out of 黑料网 because of Keeley鈥檚 work.听
His dedication and passion have not only shaped careers but also inspired a new generation of compassionate healthcare providers.听
鈥淚 have a lot of joy in practicing medicine,鈥� Keeley said. 鈥淚 hope that is evident, and I get to pass that on.鈥�