Kunshinga Matilda Bvute, MD, MPH, MBA
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Hanover, New Hampshire
— MEDICAL SCHOOL —
University of Zimbabwe
Harare, Zimbabwe
— POST GRAD TRAINING —
Florida Atlantic University (IM), Boca Raton, FL
Loma Linda University (MPH), Loma Linda, CA
California Baptist University (MBA), Riverside, CA
What is your current position?
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth.
Where did you attend medical school and post-grad training?
I attended University of Zimbabwe for medical school and Loma Linda University and California Baptist University for my post-grad training.
Why did you choose to become a physician?
The remarkable women in my family profoundly influenced my career in medicine. My mother, a family planning nurse practitioner, empowered women through her work. My great-aunt, one of Zimbabwe's longest-practicing obstetricians, and her twin sister, an academic psychiatrist, set a high standard in the field. The national leader recognized my cousin for her exceptional performance at medical school. The reputation of these family members served as a source of inspiration for me to follow in their footsteps.
What field of internal medicine did you select and why?
I selected outpatient academic medicine in rural USA. I enjoy ambulatory medicine. I also have a larger platform in a clinic to use my public health and business administration skills. As a senior resident, I achieved success and accolades for my work in teaching, publishing, coaching, and mentoring medical students and residents, so transitioning to academics was a natural progression. I also saw the tremendous opportunity to advance my career by working in a rural area. Rural communities face unique challenges that clinicians must address, such as limited access to care and medications, lack of specialized health care services, and the need for innovative health care delivery models. Currently, I am exploring opportunities to participate in or create research projects, and Dartmouth offers resources to support scholarly activities.
Please describe a typical day in your practice.
A typical day in my practice is well-structured, busy, and filled with opportunities for growth and learning. It starts with precharting, followed by an interdisciplinary team "huddle" at 7:55 a.m. This huddle outlines the leadership and ancillary support structure, identifies patients who require procedures, and assigns medical staff to clinicians. This collaborative practice enhances the efficiency of flow in the clinic. I typically see 16 patients, and my day ends with addressing some of the intervisit care for approximately 1000 patients on my panel. This care includes refilling prescriptions, reviewing results and images, completing paperwork, communicating with specialist clinicians, responding to patient calls, and highlighting teaching points to residents and students on the service. It's a demanding but rewarding schedule that allows me to address the massive shortage of primary care physicians in medically underserved areas, and I find great satisfaction in managing it all.
What are some of your special interests professionally?
One of my primary professional interests is assisting international medical graduates (IMGs) in matching into a residency program. I share my personal experiences and journey on social media, aiming to inspire and motivate IMGs to pursue their dreams. I also give talks and presentations to applicants, emphasizing that the residency application process is about more than just board scores.
What are your interests and hobbies outside of medicine?
My interest in African art dates back to high school. I recently rekindled my passion for painting and started collecting art from Zimbabwean and other African painters. Since moving to New Hampshire, I have also found solace in hiking, a hobby that allows me to connect with nature, build bonds with friends, and appreciate the New England landscape.
What advice would you like to share with medical students or what do you wish someone would have told you while you were in medical school?
My advice to medical students is to be a beacon of empowerment and possibility: align your strengths with your interests and find an area that ignites your passion. Medicine is a vast field with endless possibilities; there is no set path nor does one size fit all. So, even if that pathway is one others have yet to create, find the support to pursue new areas of interest. Your unique journey could be the one that changes the face of medicine.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Learning to live in the present has been a journey that I'm still navigating. For a long time, I found myself constantly thinking ahead, a habit I had to break. With teenage sons aged 15 and 17, I realized the importance of balancing my natural inclination for forward-thinking with the need to pause and appreciate the present.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Undoubtedly, my most significant triumph was my difficult journey back to medicine. I was accepted into residency at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC, in 2007. However, during a PGY-2 vacation to Zimbabwe, I faced an unexpected hurdle—a visa denial due to political dynamics. This setback forced me to spend a decade away from the USA, where I found new opportunities in public health and leadership. In 2017, I returned to the USA for graduate school, raising my two sons single-handedly, and retook the USMLE, which had expired. Despite the challenges, I persevered and eventually matched into residency at Florida Atlantic University in 2020, where I excelled and garnered national recognition. Today, I stand proud as an attending physician at Dartmouth, a testament to the power of determination.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
The biblical story of Joseph resonates deeply with me as I see my own resilience mirrored in his story. Joseph's circumstances seemed bleak, but divine providence was at work. I, too, have experienced God's guiding hand in my life, steering me through seemingly insurmountable situations and leading me to a successful career. Above all, Joseph's story underscores the importance of humility and service, values that I strive to embody.
What is your motto?
Believe in yourself and go for it! Throughout my career, this motto has reminded me that the worst thing you will hear is "no," but one "yes" can change your life. The motto can inspire others in their own journeys.
Back to the July 2024 issue of ACP IMpact
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