This week’s feature of the three-part “My Mentor and I” series is a mentorship report by Byhalia native Deldrick Adams.  Adams is the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science 2016 class president.

The field of medicine has always been extremely exciting to me. As a child, I knew I wanted to be a doctor. In my dreams, I always heard the voices of people yelling, “Dr. Deldrick Adams, MD.” I realized that joining the mentorship program at MSMS would give me the opportunity to experience first-hand what I have dreamed about. I wanted to get an opportunity to shadow medical professionals, and learn from their everyday experiences. In particular, I was constantly amazed with the field of cardiology. At an early age, I made a decision that if I become a physician, I would specialize in cardiology. Fortunately, I had the chance to observe an Interventional Cardiologist.

Dr. John King is an interventional cardiologist with five years of practice experience. He attended medical school in Jackson. He later matched into an internal medicine residency for three years, After his residency, he spent a year working as an internist. He then decided to pursue cardiology. After hearing his amazing story, I asked to shadow him.

He invited me to shadow him with open arms. He taught me the steps in becoming a cardiologist, and he also showed me the everyday grind of a physician in this specialty. I noticed quickly that it takes many years of dedication to become a great doctor, and even then, you still learn something new each day. Dr. King, who is also a Mississippian, discussed his path to cardiology. He shared his experiences, and exposed me to various career paths. He became a true mentor throughout my experience. I truly enjoyed every minute of my mentorship. His approach to medicine inspired me to tackle my career in the same manner. Just like him, I want to enjoy what I do. Because of my mentorship experience, I definitely will.

During my cardiology mentorship, Dr. King allowed me to watch one of his surgical procedures. I watched as he stinted a 64-year patient with a previous history of heart attacks. He also displayed echocardiograms so he could teach me the common anatomy of the heart. He discussed each heart valve and vessel. He also discussed the main arteries associated with cardiac arrest; he justified each heart condition, and gave reason behind their detrimental effects. Dr. King also discussed different types of heart disease, and he explain the long term health issues related with heart problems.

Later, Dr King continued to explain what a cardiology fellowship helped him learn. He gave me tips on how to be the best Cardiologist possible. He continued to dwell on hand-eye coordination. He told me that playing games should help increase hand eye coordination, and it could make them a better cardiologist. He also discussed the ways his professors taught him how to complete all cardiovascular procedures. He described the setting, and places he went to become a cardiologist. This was especially important to me because it gave significant information on how to start my matriculation in cardiology. The field of cardiology is extremely competitive, and Dr. King helped give me a heads up at an early age. He took me under his wing and I will never forget it.

From this special experience, I learned that I had the tools needed to succeed. I simply needed to believe in myself. I have the abilities, but I just need to patient and wait my turn. Patience is the key to success in medicine. If you do not have patience, then it will be hard to deal with the most stressful aspects of the career. Dr. King told me, “You are extremely professional, and I think with your work ethic you will be fine.” Those words touched my heart because of the mental fighting I do with myself. He made me realize how great I can be in medicine, only if I continue to do what I’m doing. I am consistently chasing perfection. I must continue to do this as I move further in my matriculation.

Lastly, Dr. King described the perks of being a cardiologist. He discussed the lucrative salary of a cardiologist. He explained how moving to rural Mississippi increased his salary, and why moving to big cities are not always the best decision. He said that his work and life balance is not what some people describe. He enjoys time with his family although there is sometimes a significant increase in call.

As a cardiologist, he is equipped with his own office and team of nurses to provide the best medical care possible to patients in need of attention. Dr. King practices with three other cardiologists. Each of them are highly trained in their profession, and provide the best healthcare to their patients possible. Most heart procedures are done in the cath lab at Baptist Memorial-Columbus Hospital. These procedures include echocardiograms, stress test and stint surgery.

I hope that my career in cardiology is just as good as Dr. King’s!