Dr. Steven Elliott, July 2018

Each day our community faculty illustrate their commitment to educating future physicians through their passion for teaching and examples of excellence. This month, Craig Shul, MS3, shines a spotlight on Steven Elliott, M.D., Carson Medical Group.

Throughout medical school, a student's ability to acquire knowledge relies on his or her dedication. However, another large piece of medical education is dependent on the physician under whom the student is assigned. The physician can largely determine the experience of the student, good or bad, involved and engaged or watching, etc.

Dr. Steven Elliott has not only dedicated his career to his patients, but also to the students with whom he works. He provides an experience to students that allows them to be involved in the history taking, the physical exam, and small procedures. This hands-on experience, guided by Dr. Elliott's vast knowledge of the Family Medicine field allows students to grow, gain experience, and take that experience into their residencies and future careers as physicians. Dr. Elliott pushes his students to acquire and retain knowledge in a manner that is challenging, yet invigorating. He is the type of physician who provides an experience to the student that makes them look back and say, "Wow, I learned a lot," or "Why was I not previously considering Family Medicine?"

Something impressive that students take away from watching and helping Dr. Elliott care for his patients is continuity of care. He tells anecdotes of caring for a baby and mother, who have now switched roles where the son, now grown up, is caring for his mother in her current state of sickness. This is not irregular in the town of Carson City according to Dr. Elliott who says that this aspect is one of the most meaningful parts of his career as a Family Medicine physician. While Dr. Elliott has dedicated a portion of his life to educating future physicians, he has dedicated even more to his patients - caring for them, forming meaningful and trustworthy relationships, and getting to know them on a personal level.

Dr. Elliott had a huge positive influence over my first two years of medical school. He is extremely personable, which aids in his ability to positively push students in the right direction.

Thank you, Dr. Elliott, for your continued commitment to medical education! You are making a difference and it shows. For his efforts, Dr. Elliott will receive a UNR Med vest.