November Physician Spotlight: Jeffrey Whitcomb, DO
Who or what inspired you to become a physician?
My initial interest came from a fascination with the human body—how it is structured, how it functions, and how it heals itself. These two opportunities were the foundation of what drew me to medicine.
Briefly describe a peak experience from your career.
Peak experiences for me are comprised of many smaller moments—times when I leave a patient’s room knowing I was able to make a difference in their life. Hearing their gratitude and seeing their lives improve is what matters most to me.
What led you to engage with the El Paso County Medical Society (EPCMS) as a member?
Healthcare in the US has many flaws. In my opinion, the overall health of our population is the biggest opportunity to enact real change. Engaging with EPCMS affords members the opportunity to engage with the population differently than we do at the bedside. It also grants access to the opportunity to engage with the legislature with other healthcare professionals to share ideas.
What inspired you to take that engagement further by joining the EPCMS Board?
The answer to this question builds off my response to the last question. I want to be involved in developing solutions to the challenges in healthcare.
What advice would you give to physicians in training who are just starting their careers?
Give it everything you’ve got. Medicine is an incredibly worthwhile endeavor. You have the privilege of stepping into people’s lives and making a difference in ways few other professions can. Over time, it’s easy to lose sight of that, so I always encourage young physicians to remember what an honor it is to practice medicine.
What do you enjoy doing outside of medicine?
Spending time with my wife and our four kids is what I enjoy most. We love being outdoors and taking advantage of everything Colorado has to offer, especially hiking. Our family has a tradition of seeking out trails that lead to waterfalls—it’s kind of our thing. We’ve hiked places like Zapata Falls near the Great Sand Dunes and a smaller waterfall trail in Monument that’s great in the spring. Hanging Lake is definitely on our list as the kids get older—it’s such a beautiful place, and I look forward to sharing it with them someday.
