This month’s Resident Council spotlight features Region 5 Representative Briana Krewson, DO, MPH, PGYI. Learn more about why she chose family medicine and her residency program, and why she chose to get involved in ACOFP. Learn more about the Resident Council and reach out to the regional representatives with any questions.
Education and Residency
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia
- Master of Public Health from Dartmouth College
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Family Medicine Residency Program
Why did you choose this residency program?
I selected this residency program for the wonderful and warm people here, and for the incredible full-spectrum education that it offers. This program truly felt like "home" when I was interviewing! I love the support system that my program provides, and the various clinical opportunities residents are offered. I feel like I have a perfect balance of both urban and rural medicine experiences at this program. I also love that my program prioritizes osteopathic education, and that I have the ability to practice OMT regularly in my outpatient clinic.
Why did you choose family medicine?
I enjoyed all of my rotations as a third-year medical student, and knew I wanted to practice full-spectrum medicine. I also highly value building long-term relationships with my patients, and knew that family medicine would provide me the opportunity to care for all members of a family long-term. Family medicine has been a wonderful field to support my interests in lifestyle medicine, OMT, and community care.
What is a typical day like in your life as a resident?
There's no "typical" day, and that's the beauty of family medicine! I alternate between different hospitals, depending on what block I am on, including working inpatient, in emergency care, at the pediatrics hospital, or delivering babies on labor and delivery. I am at my continuity clinic seeing my panel of patients at least one time per week, which I thoroughly enjoy. During my days of work, I make an effort to spend lunch time with my coresidents and try to maintain a routine with walking my dog, talking to family/friends, and cooking nutritious meals.
What do you like to do in your time outside of residency?
Outside of residency, I love to get outside with my dog Jake, spend time with my coresidents, try new recipes in the kitchen, explore new places to eat, and do yoga! I also love spending quality time with my partner David, who is also a family medicine resident. When I get vacation time, I love to travel to new places and go on adventures.
Why did you volunteer to join the Resident Council?
I want to provide voice and meaning to osteopathic education and doctoring from a resident perspective. My goal on the council is to be an active listener, reliable and responsive peer, and a voice for all DO family medicine residents on a larger scale. My openness and enthusiasm has directed my drive to put service at the forefront of my care, and I aim to continue this motivation as a council member.
What is your one word of advice to students?
My one word of advice to students is: Be open-minded and open-hearted in all your patient interactions--you will learn so much more and enjoy so much more.
When was the first time you realized you wanted to be a physician?
I knew I wanted to be a physician in high school, when my grandfather was first diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and I became very interested in studying human anatomy (I always loved science class!). I then confirmed this in college, when I participated in bench research and realized how much I craved working with people rather than being bench-side as a scientists. After college, I wanted to learn more about our healthcare system and value-based healthcare by studying public health, which helped further confirm my interest in studying and practicing medicine. It's been a long path to reach my goal, but I am so grateful for my work each day; it's a gift to be able to care for humans.
If you could meet one famous dead person, who would it be?
If I could meet a famous deceased person, I would love to meet Marie Curie because she was (1) well ahead of her time in being a woman in STEM, paving the way for female scientists, and (2) she was Polish. I have a soft spot in my heart for Poland; I lived there for a year before starting medical school. Best pierogi of my life!
If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor?
I have been graced with some of the most wonderful mentors in medicine throughout my journey as a student. One person I currently very much look up to is Dr. Laura Vater, who is a voice for humanism in medicine. I'd love to be mentored by her in the humanism space!
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