Commencement Profile: Amy Picone

Amy Picone, MD, was among the 81 medical students at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix who received their Doctor of Medicine degree on May 7, 2018.

Dr. Picone — along with one third of this year’s class — plans to pursue a primary care field, the most critical shortage facing Arizona. She is part of the 29 students who will train in Phoenix or Tucson. She plans to complete her residency at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix’s Family Medicine Residency program at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix.

“I am very excited that I am returning to the hospital where my interest first started and to work with the doctors who first inspired me to enter the field of medicine,” Dr. Picone said. “I am looking forward to staying local and teaching medical students from my own medical school.”

Dr. Picone’s path in medicine began with an interest in helping animals. As an undergraduate, she attended the University of Arizona to pursue veterinary science and volunteered at local veterinary hospitals. After a few years of college, she discovered her true passion: human medicine. This led her to double major in veterinary science and microbiology.

Following graduation, she worked as a physical therapy technician at Banner Good Samaritan Hospital, now known as Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix. She worked alongside physical therapists and occupational therapists, learning and observing different areas of medicine. During this time, she shadowed Stacie Pinderhughes, MD, a palliative care specialist.

“Dr. Pinderhughes’ work with patients and families inspired me to pursue a degree in medicine and to help families struggling with their loved one’s illnesses,” Dr. Picone said. “After this experience, I made the decision to officially apply to medical school.”

She chose the UA College of Medicine – Phoenix because she was impressed with the curriculum. Dr. Picone, who graduated from Mountain Pointe High School and lives in Ahwatukee, was also thankful for the opportunity to stay near family during her medical school education.

“They incorporate clinical experience into the early years of medical school,” she said. “In addition, they encourage research and volunteering, both of which I am passionate about. I also wanted to stay close to family and friends. At the time that I started medical school, my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and I wanted to stay near family to spend as much time with her as possible.”

While in medical school, Dr. Picone’s mother was hospitalized. Dr. Picone said that she will carry these experiences and interactions with the health care professionals with her for the rest of her career.

“I will remember how important communication with the staff affected my understanding of her condition and how much more reassured my mother was by the effective communication with the doctors,” Dr. Picone said. “This experience has helped me realize the importance of open communication not only with a patient but also with their families. I will continue to remain transparent with patients and families and continue to update them while their loved ones are in the hospital.”

Dr. Picone has always had the support of her father, a mechanical engineer, and mother, a physical therapist, who encouraged her to pursue a career with an advanced degree.

In addition to her families’ encouragement, they instilled values of generosity and giving back to the local community, she said. Her family volunteered at St. Vincent De Paul in Tempe, where they delivered food to families, and volunteered at grade schools in the summer. This work continued in medical school as she helped at events educating the public about the importance of exercise, healthy eating and tutored children in mathematics and reading.

“Through this volunteer work, I discovered how much I enjoyed helping others,” she said. “I will continue to strive to help not only patients that I see in the clinic, but also the community.”