New Physician-in-Practice Spotlight: Elizabeth "Libby" Pionk, DO

College of Osteopathic Medicine:

KYCOM, Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pikeville, Kentucky

Residency Program:

McLaren Bay Region Family Medicine Residency Program in Bay City, Michigan

Where do you currently practice?

McLaren Bay Hospitalist Service, McLaren Bay Region

Why did you choose family medicine?

I wanted to make a meaningful impact on the comprehensive medical care a person receives while in the hospital setting. Family medicine physicians look at the whole person by putting the pieces, such as disease processes, of overall health together to improve people's lives.

What is a typical day like in your life as a new physician in practice?

I work as a hospitalist, so my shifts are typically 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. I sometimes work midday shifts as well. I typically round on a census of patients unless I’m working an admitting shift. I care for patients on all units, including intensive care/critical care, telemetry/cardiac, stroke, trauma, etc. I treat a wide variety of acute and chronic illnesses in adult patients.

Are you currently involved in national ACOFP on a committee or in a volunteer role?

I’m on the New Physician Committee.

What committee or leadership roles do you hold and what role/s have you held in the past?

I’m the program director of our hospitalist program at McLaren Bay. I also serve as the chair of the Family Medicine Department at McLaren Bay Region. I serve on a variety of committees at my hospital, including readmissions committee, pharmacy, and therapeutics, as well as antimicrobial stewardship. I serve as a member of the advocacy committee for the Michigan Association of Osteopathic Family Physicians.

What have you volunteered for, on a state or national level, and how did it impact you?

I served as a student and resident delegate to the Congress of Delegates between 2014 and 2017. I was motivated to continue to serve as a state delegate after graduation and have since participated each year that I’m able to attend the Annual Convention. Participating in the Congress of Delegates broadens my knowledge as to the issues and challenges other osteopathic family medicine physicians face across the nation--some we even share!

What is your one word of advice to residents?

Listen

When was the first time you realized you wanted to be a physician?

When I was in my third year of undergraduate school at Oakland University. I was a tutor at my local community college and thoroughly enjoyed helping others (at that time, learning their coursework). I wanted to continue to help and impact lives for the better.

If you could meet one famous dead person, who would it be?

Martin Luther King, Jr.

What would you title an autobiography or memoir?

Learning to Be My Authentic Self: A Journey of Discovery, 4 Cats, and a Stick Shift Car