Volunteer Profile: Amy B. Fought
Posted on September 7, 2007
Filed Under Medical Students, Medical (MD, DO)
By Juliet Farmer
Amy B. Fought, SDN user name Amy B, was a freelance photographer before attending medical school. Born in Chicago and raised predominantly in Rich Creek, Virginia, Fought is currently finishing her MSIII year in medical school with the goal of becoming a DO.
At the age of 41, Fought says that in her free time, she still enjoys photography, as well as spending time with her family. For now, her days are spent doing rotations at various locations from about 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., though she says it all depends on what rotation she’s on.
“For Internal Medicine, I started at 6 a.m. and sometimes didn’t get done until 7 p.m.,” Fought notes. “Just depends on where you are, what you are doing, how many patients you have and what your preceptor is like to work with.”
“For the most part on rotations, you see patients in various settings,” she continues. “Some places you work closely with your preceptor, and other places you are on your own to see your patients and then report back later to your preceptor. I am currently on my Psych rotation at a Veteran’s hospital. After this rotation I will be caught up with all my third year [rotations] and will be starting fourth year.”
Fought attended Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond for her undergrad, and Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia, for medical school.
Fought, who has been active on SDN for many years, is currently a Senior Moderator in charge of the Osteopathic Medical Students’ forum.
“When I first joined [SDN], it was to figure out what I had gotten myself into,” she recalls. “I was just starting as an undergrad back in 1998. I was an older student who decided, after the death of my best friend from ovarian cancer, that perhaps I could make a difference and help people and families like my friend’s family. I had never envisioned myself as a doctor growing up. I was happy in my career as a freelance photographer, but her illness and her death shook me up and I knew I needed to change my life path.
“I remember spending hours on SDN reading through all the posts and trying to follow the correct pre-med path that would get me to medical school. It was a great help to me when I felt lost, alone, confused, angry or happy, etc…. there was always someone that could relate and help me, or who could give me support.”
Fought also found help during the complicated medical school application process.
“I remember the year I first applied to medical school,” she says. “It was the year that AMCAS first went to a computerized system. It was a nightmare trying to apply. For those of who you applied that year, I bet you remember well what I am talking about. I remember sitting at my computer for hours and hours (if I recall it took 36 hours total just to get the application submitted) trying to finish that application. It was great to post on SDN each time a problem arose and find out I wasn’t alone and others were having the same issues. I remember helping each other out by sharing what was working and what wasn’t.”
She found even more support when she was waitlisted and didn’t clear the list.
“I was so upset and felt like giving up,” Fought recalls of that time period. “It was the folks here on SDN that encouraged me not to give up and to apply again. I took a year off and away from anything relating to medicine and then applied again. I was accepted to both a DO school as well as an MD school, and ended up choosing the osteopathic medical school in Blacksburg.”
She also started a class thread after being accepted, and she and her classmates started to get to know each other through SDN.
“When we first met, people would look at my name tag and say, ’Oh I know you. You’re Amy B aren’t you?’ It was great starting school and already knowing so many of my classmates through SDN,” she adds.
Fought explains that she soon started to give back and help others as she had been helped. It started with a few private messages for advice or help with particular situations, then soon she was promoted to a Moderator and most recently to a Senior Moderator.
“I take great pride in that and enjoy giving back to SDN, for all the help I got when I was just starting out in this path to becoming a doctor,” Fought notes.
She advises those new to SDN to start with the “stickies” in areas of particular interest.
“Personally, I have gotten used to seeing the same types of questions year after year, and quite frankly it doesn’t bother me when someone asks something I have seen many times in the past,” she explains. “But it does bother others on SDN, so that is why there are FAQs listed.
“Also remember that you can’t always believe what you read. Not everyone has a 43 MCAT and a 4.0 GPA even though they say they do. Don’t get discouraged by reading other poster’s posts and think you are not smart enough to be a doctor.”
Fought also advises “seasoned” SDN users to give the newbies a break.
“Remember that we were all newbies at one point in time, and don’t be so fast to tell people to search for their answers,” Fought advises. “That may bug people, but newbies don’t know how to work the forum as well as the seasoned SDN users, so give them a break once in a while. I would encourage people who have been here awhile to make sure they start helping others who are just starting out. In other words, give back your time to help those who are following you.”
Fought is married, but her story doesn’t stop there.
“I am married and have two children, one son and one daughter,” she explains. “Or at least I did before March 2, 2007. My life was drastically changed on that date. My son had ulcerative colitis. He had his first major flare up in February and was hospitalized for colon rest … [he] was being discharged from a local hospital here in Blacksburg when things went horribly wrong. By the time I realized there was something wrong and went and got help, it was too late. He died later that morning from a massive air embolism. I carry great amounts of guilt with me.”
Fought’s final piece of advice is one that everyone would do well to heed.
“Enjoy life and live it to the fullest. Tell those you love each day just how much you love them. You never know when you will leave this earth. It can happen at any time,” she concludes.
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GOD bless you and your family Amy B. You are amazing.
Thank you for your advice and incredible story. You are an inspiration to many of us out there. May God bless you and your family.
Amy I’m sooo proud of you! You are a joy to be around and such an inspiration to others. Continue working hard–you have alot of supporters and fans out there wanting you to succeed!
Didn’t expect to see your picture when I popped onto SDN today, lol. You have been such a blessing to all of us here at VCOM. You and your fam will continue to be in my prayers. I’m in such awe of how you’ve continued to persevere, in spite of life. May God continue to bless you!
Thanks a lot for your advice.You have endured a lot in your life and not given up. Remember God has good plans for us to suceed and not to fail. Be blessed.
I’m amazed at your story and how your life choices mirror my own in some respects. I’m also an older student in my second year of pharmacy school and I was a photographer prior to going to college for my undergrad degree. I’m married and have 2 children -a daughter and son, and I’m originally from Richmond, Virginia. I was encouraged by your article and know that with God’s grace, I too can make it through school and become an outstanding healthcare provider. May the Lord truly bless you for being such an encouragement to others even in the mist of your own pain. God Bless. May I share your story with others?
Hey Amy,
I currently attend VCOM and I want to see you and congratulate you on your accomplishments and the obstacles you overcame. God bless you and your family and my deep condolences to your son. Just remember, he is in a better place in the hands of our Lord.
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your son. May you and your family find peace, comfort and strength together. As you help others in such important ways all through the rest of your life, your son will be with you in spirit. I highly recommend reading the book Healing Through the Shadow of Loss by Deborah Coryell, it helped me so much.
Hey there Amy B. I am sooo inspired by your story and proud of you. Even though you were hit by the loss of your son, you showed so much courage and strength. Don’t let guilt get in your way just stand strong with your family in faith, and know that God has your back!
Love, sistahnik
HI Amy, I was just checking the daily messages on SDN, but when I saw a picture of your family I just froze. I went to school with your son. My boyfriend worked with him in the Tarten Office. He was a great person and such a friendly guy. I will never forget him.
Hi Amy!
Your story is phenomenal, keep up the good work!
I began my goal of becoming a nurse at the age of 38 around the time you began setting your goal of MD. I now have been a nurse for 2 years (now am 43); I know from your story you’ll make a fine physician! Hats off to you for having a family and still reaching for the stars!
Sincerely, Temet nosce! (latin: know thyself)
this is very inspirational and I am very sorry about your loss, no one can understand the pain accompanying the loss of a child unless they haveexperienced it first hand. God has great plans for you and ppl that experience so many trial and tribulations and still persevere are in His favor. God bless you are an inspiration.
If God led you to it, He shalls see you through it. Go get em tiger! And the rays of sunshine on your face, your husband’s face and your daughter’s is that daily ‘wink’ from your son to be all you can be…be patient, but persevere –your daughter does not have to be in healthcare like you to have a wonderful future, but most probably the healing arts and its mission shall influence her strongly…carpe diem.
That’s one very amazing wife I have, isn’t she?!
Amy - Thank you for sharing. God bless you and your family.
Amy God bless you and your family.I’m so sorry for your loss.Your story was so amazing for me because Iam trying to become a doctor and i am 31.I am also a mother of two boys. Sometimes i feel that i can not make it, but reading stories like your make me feel brave and encourage me to do it.I live in California.
What momentary joy to see the four of you together. For a moment all was right again. I really need a copy of that picture. What joy Blake was to all of us while he was here. He continues be a joyful part of my life and I have been so blessed to have had him in my life. You and Mark are the kind of parents that all children should be blessed to have and unfortunatly they aren’t. Kaitlyn is the sister all brothers should have and Blake is the big brother all girls should have. Love Mom
Suddenly reading about our grandsson’s loss and the impact our “daughter Amy has had on so many lives threatened to uncork emotions that I”m not yet ready to deal with. How can I put my pride in her into only words. I can’t.
Hey Amy thank you for your great interview, definitely a big motivation for me. I am sorry to hear about the deaths of your friend and your son, your words of appreciating life every day remind me to tell some people I know how much they mean to me. Thanks and best of luck to you.
You go big sister. Love you. Gautam
Amy your story gives inspiration to many. I remember reading many posts that you have replied to telling others not to give up and others posts just answering questions about the process. You are excellent
Amy thank you for sharing your story and im sorry for your loss. You are an isnpiration for many of us who are just starting. Im 24 and my goal is to be a doctor. You are a great person and thank you again for sharing what you know and for encouraging people like me.
You go big sister. Love you. Little brother.
Beautiful family!
Amy, thank you for sharing your life (both trials and joys) with us here at VCOM; We are truly blessed to have you as apart of the VCOM family. I will continue to keep you and your family in my prayers. Thanks for everything you do!!
Amy:
What a wonderful and inspiring story. I too am an aspiring doc at 34 years old, wife and mother of two. Gave up initially after being waitlisted and rejected the first time (1999) and here I am 8 years later with medicine “still on my mind” and about to give it another shot. May your son rest in perfect peace. God bless you and your family.
Amy, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Your sacrifices, perseverance and spirit are an inspiration. You have touched many lives. Through your pain, others have and will continue to be helped. “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, BUT in rising every time we fall.”
Be well.
God bless you, Amy. I am 41 too (MS-II) and I can’t imagine having to deal with the illness and death of a child while going to med school. Or, for that matter, while not going to med school. I’m sure your experiences will make you a very compassionate doctor.
Hi Amy,
I was struck by the difficulty of loosing a loved-one before your eyes and feeling you should have known what to do and been able to stop its course. I was a new EMT when I had to help my mother after an auto accident. I constantly replayed the things I should have noticed, treatment I should have objected to, why did *I* let her die? It’s still quite painful, but lots of time, some therapy, and especially EMDR really helped me through those feelings.
I hope you are at peace with your son’s loss, but if you’re like me, it’s a constant second-guessing. Feel free to write off-list if I can be of any help.
It’s not your fault, it wasn’t my fault. It still sucks!
Best wishes…
Wade
Dear Amy I know we don’t know each other but, only god will be able to ease your pain, I will keep you in my prayers, I happen to be pregnant with my fisrt child and I can not imagine the pain that you been thru.
god bless u and ur family