Crystal Holmes
Crystal Holmes is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine and Certified Wound Specialist, as well as a Clinical Instructor of Podiatry at the U-M’s Department of Medicine–Division of Metabolism Endocrinology and
Diabetes. She divides her time between the U-M and VA hospitals.
Here she talks to CEO about her career.
Where did you go to school?
Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan; Fisk University in Nashville, TN; and the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland. I did my residency at the University of Texas at San Antonio in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery.
Did you always want to be a doctor?
I knew I wanted to be a doctor since I was a young child. I had heart surgery at age 6 and fell in love with medicine. I wanted to some day help people the same way my doctors helped me.
Deciding what type of doctor and what area of medicine was more of a challenge. For that, I simply spent time with various doctors and I chose the profession that was the best fit for me. I know podiatry was the right choice for me. I love what I do.
What’s your favorite thing about your job?
There is so much that I like but the thing I love most about my job is working with my patients. I get as much out of making them feel better as they do. That feeling makes all of the hard work and time I have put into becoming a podiatric physician well worth it.
Were you a good student in high school?
I was not the best high-school student! I had a lot of personal issues and distractions at home. I was bright and made decent grades but I could have applied myself much more.
I realized that the ONLY person that could change my life for the better was me. There was a turning point for me when I realized that the ONLY person that could change my life for the better was me. When I started college, I knew I had to do better. It was a clean slate for me. That was when a really studied and applied myself. It was all about discipline.
My first semester of college, I came up with a study plan for myself. I studied every day from 4–8 pm. Just 4 hours a day no matter what. With 4 hours for study I still had time to make friends and do what college kids do.
When I made the Dean’s list I was so proud. I was also a little disappointed: imagine where I would have been if I started this habit in high school! My recommendation is, start early and make the commitment and investment in yourself.
Did you need to use any scholarships or loans to finance your college education?
I had everything. Scholarships, grants, loans, friend and family donations. We did not have a lot of money, so my college was a sacrifice for my family. This is another reason why I made a commitment to do well in college.
What kinds of classes would you recommend to high-school students interested in medicine?
You should take classes in sciences such as chemistry, biology, and math. You should also take English and writing.
Take the time and invest in yourself; you are worth it. The other thing you can do to prepare is volunteer! Volunteer at a local hospital or nursing home. Not only are you helping the community, but you also begin to build a network and find out if medicine is right for you.
How can students gain first-hand knowledge about medicine as a career?
Volunteer. Volunteer. Volunteer.
Ask questions. Ask your own doctor about his or her experience. Ask if you can spend a day with a local doctor and she exactly what he or she does.
When I spend time with high-school students, they are often discouraged by the length of time it takes to be come a doctor. My response is simple. “What else do you have to do?”
Take the time and invest in yourself. You are worth it.