Kristen Budahn, a 2008 Bethany graduate, is a family practice physician with Glencoe Regional Health Services in Glencoe, Minnesota.
WHAT YOU DO • • • I practice full spectrum family medicine at a rural hospital/ clinic. I see patients from birth until death in the clinic and hospital. I also see patients in the hospital as well as the nursing home. I provide OB care through pregnancy, perform vaginal deliveries and Cesarean sections, and care for both moms and babies after delivery. I also perform a wide variety of office based procedures.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU • • • I love the variety in my job and the ability to help and serve others on a daily basis. Being the first person to see and hold a newborn is without doubt one of the most amazing experiences ever! I love working in a small town where I get to see my patients not only in the clinic but out in the community as well.
HOW YOU WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE • • • I want to continue my current practice, expanding my skill set, and improving the health of those in my community.
HOW BETHANY HAS PREPARED YOU • • • Bethany prepared me in so many ways. I went into medical school with a much stronger background in biology/ anatomy thanks to gross anatomy. The rigors of Bethany’s math and science classes prepared me better than I could have hoped for to succeed in medical school. I loved also the well rounded aspect of having fine arts classes. The Spanish program and my study abroad experience in Ecuador prepared me to use Spanish on a daily basis in my current practice without the aid of an interpreter allowing me to better connect with my patients. Playing soccer has pushed me to continue to stay physically fit and active, something I encourage my patients in as well.
WHAT YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT BETHANY • • • I loved playing soccer and spending time with my soccer girls. The ability to travel with soccer to Sweden/Iceland/Denmark, Bill’s art history class to Italy, and through a study abroad to Ecuador was amazing. I also really appreciated the ability to go to chapel on a daily basis to re-focus my day around my Savior.
ADVICE FOR CURRENT STUDENTS • • • Enjoy your time! Take advantage of every travel and extracurricular opportunity you have. Enjoy the time that you spend with your Bethany friends. Take advantage of the opportunity to take classes and learn about something that is far from your career field to make yourself more well rounded and learn something you likely wouldn’t have otherwise.