IM Resident Profile: K.C. Coffey, MD

 I  am from a small town in rural New Jersey–such a place does exist–and grew up in the same house for the first 18 years of my life. I was eager for the big city, so I went to Boston for college. Graduating with a degree in English, I went on to Tulane University in New Orleans for a Masters in Public Health. I had impeccable timing: I showed up there one week before Hurricane Katrina. I thus learned public health first-hand, working on-the-ground in New Orleans.

After completing my MPH, I continued at Tulane for my medical degree. I found myself drawn to the marginalized: the poor, the sick, and the social outcasts. That led me to a career path in infectious diseases.

Why did you decide to become a doctor?

I’ve wanted to be a doctor as long as I can remember. Medicine was a perfect fit for me: it combines social justice with public health, and offers the possibility of helping not just individuals, but of effecting change at a broader, societal level.

Why did you choose at UVA?

UVA has a strong ID program–somewhat to my surprise. I thought you’d have to go to an urban university to study infectious diseases. But no—at UVA, ID seems to be everywhere! I’ve worked in an outpatient HIV clinic, and with ID attendings on the General Medicine ward and in the consult service. ID reaches into all parts of the hospital.

Proudest achievement, outside the professional realm?

February 7, 2010: the Saints winning the Super Bowl. Yes, I played a part in that. I wore the exact same outfit every game that they won. I went to the same bar to watch. We each had specific cheers for each of our players. It was the combined belief of the Saints Nation that carried them to victory.

How did you meet your significant other?

Nick and I started dating in our third year of medical school at Tulane. We’d only been seeing each other about 6 months when he asked me to “couples match” with him. I took a leap. Best decision I ever made!

Best advice anyone ever gave you?

My grandmother liked to say, “this too shall pass.” I thought about having it tattooed on my arm during intern year. It really got me through the sticky parts.

What about you would surprise us?

I was baptized in beer. My mom is Catholic, and she had a friend who was concerned that my parents were taking too long to get me baptized—I think I was 7 months old. Almost any liquid can be used for baptism, as long as it’s blessed—so my parents’ friend blessed the beer and baptized me with it. Thus I came into the church. Baptism in a Methodist church followed a month later—with water this time.

(Medicine Matters, July 2013)