White Coat Profile: Tyler Carlson

The White Coat Ceremony marks the first time a medical student will don his or her white coat, the defining symbol of a physician. The coat bestows a great honor, and with it comes a responsibility to uphold the trust of every patient they will encounter. The Class of 2023 will receive their white coats Friday, July 19, during a ceremony that begins at 3:30 p.m. at Symphony Hall in downtown Phoenix.

Meet Tyler Carlson

Tyler Carlson, DPT, spent the last five years working as a physical therapist. He became a physical therapist to help people and now wants to further his education and pursue a second career in medicine. By becoming a doctor of medicine, Carlson hopes to shape the future health of his patients.

“If I can help people to understand the why and how health care can improve their lives, this will not only benefit them, but every other person they affect down the road,” Carlson said.

A Phoenix native, he attended Desert Vista High School in Ahwatukee. He graduated from the University of Arizona in Tucson with a bachelor’s of science in physiology and graduated with his doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Carlson has a four-year-old son, Alex, and two-year-old daughter, Summer.  

“My goal is to teach my children that when you apply yourself and work hard toward a goal, you can achieve something that makes our world better,” he said. “If you ask my son what his dad does, he will tell you I help people, and that is all I’ve ever wanted to do.”

Choosing the College of Medicine – Phoenix

Carlson said the College of Medicine – Phoenix was his first choice.

“I chose the College of Medicine – Phoenix because I love Arizona, especially the University of Arizona,” he said. “From the moment that my wife and I made the decision to go for it with medical school, the College of Medicine – Phoenix was the dream scenario, where I could achieve my dream of becoming a physician at a fantastic school.”

Support System

Carlson said his wife, Brooke, and his children are his biggest inspirations.

“We’re embarking on this journey together,” Carlson said. “Alex is thrilled that I’m starting ‘doctor school’ the same time he starts ‘real school’ this fall. I want to teach my kids that with hard work, you can achieve your dreams and give help to those who need it.”

Volunteer Experience

One of Carlson’s favorite volunteer experiences was working as a physical therapist on the sidelines for the varsity football team for Cesar Chavez High School in Phoenix.

“I love sports and being around the athletes,” he said. “I spent two seasons with them, experiencing the highs of victory and enduring the lows of defeat. I was fortunate to be able to travel with the team to Tucson for the first playoff victory in the school’s history. I enjoyed being able to help the young adults with their injuries, but also provide a resource as a college graduate for any questions they might have regarding careers in science and health care.”

Another of his volunteer experiences was when he traveled to Rocky Point, Mexico, to serve in a free clinic. He said these experiences showed him the value of caring.

In addition to his volunteer work, Carlson worked in a lab studying the effects of exercise on the severity of Parkinson’s disease. He participated in research looking at different exercise protocols and the effects of osteoarthritis symptoms in post-menopausal women.

What does the white coat mean to you?

“The white coat, to me, means dedication,” Carlson said. “From every second, minute and hour poured into studying and learning, we will be able to provide genuine care for our future patients. It is my goal to be a doctor that is a source of support and healing, and the hard work I have already and will continue to put in will be for the purpose of improving the lives that I am able to impact.”