You've probably heard the old joke (REALLY old--it was going around when I was an FP resident, back in the dim red dawn of time)--how FP docs (or primary care docs, or general surgeons, or whatever) are "jacks of all trades -- and masters of none." Har, har. Yes, I said it was really old!

All the same, I'm afraid my own career path has taken that joke to a whole new level.

I entered med school more or less straight out of high school--one of those accelerated BS/MD programs where--by dint of overloads, summer semesters, (starting a week after high school), and a few AP credits--you do pre-med in two years and enter med school at the ripe old age of 19 or 20. There's a lot to be said for that approach; on the other hand, the accelerated pace and tightly regimented coursework necessarily narrows one's exposure to those disciplines which fall outside the domain of physical sciences. The lack of a significant break over the six-year period also led a number of us to feel like hamsters on an endlessly rotating wheel--where you never slow down enough to take a breath and think about where you're headed (and whether you'll find sunflower seeds there!).

I gained the coveted M.D., but I took a break from the hamster wheel during my family practice residency. I took a leave of absence and tried my hand at writing. The leave of absence extended to a year and beyond, and I ultimately published several novels and short stories, won some awards and nominations, and did a lot of work as a medical editor.

But, like any good hamster, my whiskers never stopped twitching, and my craving for fresh sunflower seeds never went away. My whiskers led me to a lot of different freelance roles--in web design, 2D and 3D modeling and virtual reality simulation, video production and CG animation, and video game development. If you're really curious, I'll be adding a few links to some examples and sites where my work has been featured, or where I'm currently contributing as a freelancer or consultant.

I've worked on a wide range of creative efforts, and I'm happy to help students develop their skills and express their creativity in whichever area they prefer--art, design, digital media, photography and video, and so forth.

For me personally, though, the common thread which has driven my work has always been a fascination with storytelling: whether it's used for entertainment, education, simulation, or free-roaming exploration, I'm convinced that well-presented stories represent one of the most powerful communication tools in existence. The overlap between medical science and storytelling offers a world of possibilities for enhancing health-care delivery and preventive efforts, as well as improving the process of medical education itself. If you're interested in learning more about the elective, or want some advice about a project you're considering, or are simply curious, don't hesitate to give me a call, or drop me a line at my med.fsu.edu address (william.pomidor). I'd love to hear from you!