Match Day Student Profile: Phillip Maykowski

Every third Friday in March, medical schools across the United States send off their fourth-year medical students on the next chapter in their careers. On Match Day — the day an MS4 opens their coveted envelope to learn where they will spend the next several years as a resident-physician — is a long-awaited and well-deserved day to celebrate. The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix profiled several students for Match Day 2021.

Meet Phillip Maykowski

Phillip Maykowski matched in the Department of Anesthesiology at Columbia University and the Virginia Apgar Scholars Program, which is a combined clinical and research fellowship program to train clinician-scientists.

Who are you here for? Who are your biggest supporters?

My family has been amazing during medical school, especially my sister who lives in town and supported me heavily during board exams. Being LGBT, I also place a strong emphasis on my chosen family of close friends that I have developed over the years. They have kept my head up in the difficult times and cheered me on during my successes.

Path Toward Medicine

What was the initial spark that led you to want to become a physician?

After originally applying to colleges for music, I discovered a passion for medicine during my last semester of high school. At the same time, I had a grandparent diagnosed with lung cancer and so the pieces really fell into place for me to pursue something in the medical field.

Importance of Match Day

Match Day is an important milestone. Have you set any new goals and what are they?

The goal is to Match! I am really happy with my list and trust the process to put me where I belong. My long-term goal is to not only become a strong clinician, but to also strengthen and apply my research skills toward being a physician-scientist.

Choosing a Specialty

Do you have a specialty? What is it and why did you choose it?

Anesthesiology! I chose it because it is the best specialty, obviously. But in all seriousness, for me, it was the only specialty where I didn't need to give anything up. I get to apply general chemistry principles from undergraduate, mathematics, and statistics from my masters, as well as all the clinical skills I developed over medical school. I love the autonomy of the specialty and the close relationship with ICU medicine.

COVID-19 Pandemic Experience

Describe your experiences in the last year during the COVID-19 lockdown.

COVID-19 obviously changed much of our fourth year experience. Our typical expectation of away/audition rotations for our specialty were eliminated, and our general clinical time in the summer was reduced. Our interviews for residency were all held virtually with a lot of unknowns on how it would turn out. At the same time, our Banner hospital asked us to volunteer for COVID shifts in January 2021 amid the second major surge. Altogether, it really impacted fourth-year medical students in a dynamic and unique way, but we rose to the challenge and made it to this amazing moment of Match day.

Has COVID-19 changed the way you view health care and the medical profession?

While all these changes made our fourth year very difficult, we also were able to see how our resident mentors and attendings rose to the challenges of COVID. Many of my friends who were medicine interns took extra COVID shifts with no questions asked. My friends in nursing also stepped up and worked COVID ICU throughout the pandemic. Even though the days of clapping for hospital workers ended, I felt many patients showed us all more appreciation than ever before.

Wildcat Wonder #BearDownForLife

Lastly, what does it mean to you to be considered a ‘*Wildcat Wonder?’

After taking a break from the U of A system for a few years to pursue my masters, I chose to come back for medical school because of the culture of U of A College of Medicine – Phoenix. I think the university as a whole, and certainly the Phoenix program, fosters a sense of community and camaraderie between students that is unparalleled. My classmates are some of the most empathetic, driven and intelligent people I have ever met, and their deep desire to help others doesn't stop with patient care. It transcends into every one of their relationships.

*Wildcat Wonder: A student who has attended the University of Arizona throughout their higher education journey, spanning from their bachelor’s degree and beyond.