Posted on July 17, 2024
We continue our TidalHealth series “Grow With Us” by stopping in for a July chat with Ateebullah “Ateeb” Mirza, a “former” Medical Partners Medical Assistant at our TidalHealth Cardiology North office in Salisbury.
The “former” part of the above statement is because Ateeb left TidalHealth earlier this month and for very good reason…he’s been accepted into the medical school at West Virginia University!
Monthly, we’ll introduce you to team members, like Ateeb, who began their career at TidalHealth and advanced in the health system and beyond, and/or who have taken their careers to the next level with significant certifications and achievements.
Here’s Ateeb’s story.
Thanks, Ateeb, for agreeing to be a part of this series. Let’s start with the basics…where you grew up, where you went to school, your life and family now.\
Hey Roger, thank you for having me and taking the time to listen to my story. I'm actually a local of the Shore. I grew up just 20 minutes south of Salisbury, in the town of Princess Anne. Most of my early education was in Princess Anne, from Princess Anne Elementary to graduating from Washington High School in 2017. I attended Salisbury University for my undergraduate studies right after high school, majoring in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Exercise Science. This is where I developed my love for cardiovascular health and even got involved in cardiovascular research, which led me to publish my own paper on arterial stiffness. I graduated from SU in 2021 during pandemic and took a gap year to work here at TidalHealth, where I have been for over two years now. My family is small but loud. They are my biggest supporters and have been with me every step of the way to reaching medical school.
What led you to the position at TidalHealth Cardiology North?
Great question, Roger. I was very involved at SU and performed well academically, but I never really had the chance to get hands-on experience with patients. Additionally, my last few semesters were impacted by COVID-19, which made things challenging. Working at TidalHealth allowed me to engage directly with our community and gain practical cardiovascular skills. As I mentioned earlier, I was already involved in cardiovascular research, so transitioning to join Cardiology in North Salisbury felt like a natural step for me.
Tell me what you loved most about that job and why.
That's a difficult question to answer, Roger. I loved so many things about the job. There was never a dull moment at the practice. I cherished the variety of patients I had the privilege to take care of and getting to know them on a personal level. I enjoyed picking the brains of the doctors and learning as much as I could from them. Cardiology always kept me engaged, especially with the amazing work family I had. Every holiday, we would get into the festive mood by dressing up and decorating, and we celebrated birthdays and achievements together. My work family always supported me, allowing me to learn, grow, and achieve my goals. With a team like that, who wouldn't be excited to go to work.
OK, let’s get to the exciting part of this story! You’ve been accepted to medical school at West Virginia University. How did all of that come about?
It has been a long journey, to say the least, just getting to this point, and it will be an even longer journey to reach my end goal. It all really started when someone close to me had a cardiovascular scare. Seeing them return to their old self after the intervention of a cardiologist was my catalyst and set the course for my college experiences.I got involved in the Medical Career Society, student government, and ultimately cardiovascular research. I had the opportunity to present my own research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research and ultimately published it in the American Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. After graduating, I was fortunate to be part of the TidalHealth family, specifically the cardiology practice in North Salisbury. You know, Roger, fate works in funny ways, and I always feel thankful and blessed to have joined at the right time. Here, I learned so much from the doctors. I went from rooming patients to performing diagnostic nuclear testing, being part of the very first focus group with Rachel B, and being selected to help with the first-ever outpatient loop clinic here on the lower shore. It was a time of innovation and learning. All of this made me a far better candidate for med school. Great scores and academics get your foot in the door, but your character and experience are what make you stand out, and it definitely paid off.
You do realize how just being accepted is an incredible achievement, right?
Of course, it takes a lot of effort just to get an interview, let alone make yourself stand out. The bar to get accepted has risen every year. Academics are important, and the big bad MCAT score is your foot in the door, but nowadays, med schools really look for well-rounded individuals balancing academics and practical experience. I am proud of meeting their standards, but I am humble enough to know there is a lot for me to grow and learn because this is only the first and easiest step to what is to come.
I ask doctors this each time I interview them on my podcast so it’s only fair to ask a “doctor to be” the same question…early in your life did you know that medicine was a career you wanted to pursue?
Honestly, no. When I started college, I did not exactly know what I wanted to do. Science was always my best subject, so I knew I wanted to do something related to science. I also love teaching and prefer being in a people-oriented setting rather than cooped up alone. Maybe I could have become a researcher or a professor. But after going through college and working here at cardiology, I really felt my purpose calling, and that was medicine. In medicine, I can do everything I find fulfilling and make a tangible impact. There is no greater reward in my opinion.
I know that cardiologist Dr. Rene Desmarais (a former President of the Medical Staff at TidalHealth) has had a big influence on your career choice. How important was his leadership and mentorship?
To say Rene has been a big influence is an understatement. Rene is not just a mentor but also a friend. His mentoring inspired me to aim higher and to be involved in creating change. Being a doctor is not just about helping your own patients but all patients, and about being a leader in improving healthcare overall. His leadership has guided me in many avenues, making me a more empathetic person, encouraging me to get involved in health politics through MedChi, and ensuring I never let an opportunity slip by. It's safe to say his mentorship has made me realize exactly what type of doctor I should aim to be. But he is not my only influence. All the doctors and nurse practitioners I have worked with have helped guide me to become the best provider I can be. They let me pick their brains and took the time out of their busy days to teach me. So, I want to thank not only Dr. Desmarias but also Dr. Weiland, Dr. Pavlos, Dr. Singh, Dr. Heda, Dr. Chodnicki, Dr. Rafetto, Dr. Nsah, Dr. Subrayappa, Dr. Toweheed, Dr. Parashar, and our amazing nurse practitioners Ryan Brown, Treva Stuart, and Kim Keosin for nurturing me and pushing me to be the best I can be.
This is still a bit off in the distance, but upon graduation what do you plan to do with your medical degree to positively impact the health of the community you eventually settle in?
This is something that is always on my mind, Roger. I grew up on the Shore in an underserved community, and I want to go back to an underserved community to improve the quality of health. Of course, I will do everything in my power for my patients, but as I mentioned earlier, I also want to be involved in the world of health politics. I want to do what I can to make healthcare more accessible to people, whether through new programs or foundations. I want to give back to my community in the way it supported me. Hopefully, one day I will be able to return to the Shore to do just that.
You’ve “kinda sorta” answered this already, but have you given any thought to a specialty and if so, which one and why?
I've given this a lot of thought. I want to emphasize that as I enter medical school, I'll keep an open mind to absorb as much as possible and find my true calling. That said, it's no secret that my heart lies in cardiology. Since the beginning of my journey, I've been drawn to the idea of becoming a cardiologist. Cardiology is what initially sparked my passion for medicine and set me on this path. This specialty never fails to captivate—it offers constant challenges and rewards. You not only make a profound difference in patients' lives but also witness firsthand how they gradually regain their independence with each visit. For me, this aspect of cardiology is incredibly rewarding.
We love those mentors and role models that positively impact young lives. Doctors are among the most respected of all professions. Does that add any additional pressure or responsibility to your decision?
Absolutely, it does, Roger. I've been fortunate that many people have believed in me and sacrificed greatly to open doors because they see my potential. My parents have sacrificed so much to support my career aspirations, my friends and coworkers have been encouraging, and my mentors have paved the way and laid a strong foundation for me to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor. My achievements are not mine alone but are shared with all those who have believed in me and taken risks for me. I don't want to, nor will I, disappoint them.
I just need to know…how exciting is all of this for a young man about to realize his dream?
Roger, this honestly feels so surreal. I feel like the world is at my fingertips. I am a first-generation college student, and now I can proudly say, a first-generation med school student. It took a lot of effort just to reach this point, and I know it will take even more to reach the end. I am excited to take this next big step and, God willing, many more.
Any final thoughts before we cut you loose and send you off to medical school?
Roger, I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story with my TidalHealth family. It has truly been a pleasure sitting here with you today. I want to conclude by once again expressing my gratitude to everyone at Cardiology, Medical Partners, and TidalHealth for believing in me. This is certainly not goodbye, and I can't wait to see what comes next.