- Title/Role: TC Schneider, MD, Emergency Medicine Resident Physician
- PGY: PGY-2
- Program/Location: Emergency Medicine at MedStar Washington Hospital Center / Georgetown University Hospital
Describe what your daily life is like as a resident.
My typical day is spent working shifts in the Emergency Room, most frequently on Blue side at Washington Hospital Center. My work involves managing a wide variety of patients alongside an attending physician and often a medical student. We operate within a strong, collaborative team environment, which includes our excellent nurses, techs, and respiratory therapists.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
My initial inspiration to pursue a career in healthcare stemmed from the opportunity to provide support and care for people during their most vulnerable life moments. What I enjoy most is the privilege of seeing a truly diverse and interesting cross-section of people daily, ranging across all ages (18 to 103 at times), backgrounds, and ailments. Interacting with so many unique individuals, many of whom I would never encounter otherwise, is an incredible opportunity. It is especially rewarding when I can elaborate on a minor detail in a patient’s life to foster a deeper, more personal connection. For instance, seeing a patient with a Commanders hat on, and then talking about a recent game of theirs and watching their personality spark up a bit always gives me joy.
What ways do you prioritize your wellbeing and/or help your colleagues do the same?
I prioritize my wellbeing by employing self-care strategies, often highlighted in our Mind/Body Medicine program. My most frequent practice is simply walking: getting outside for fresh air, ideally in a green space, which is profoundly restorative for me. Additionally, regularly checking in with friends and colleagues is essential. We have educational conferences every Thursday and, quickly into residency, you realize it’s the best day of the week because for those few hours in the morning, it’s the time that you get to see all of your friends. My top piece of advice to other residents is to prioritize self-care.
What do you envision for the future of medicine in the United States? How do you see yourself in that future?
I am optimistic that technological advancements, particularly AI, will serve to amplify the humanistic side of medicine. My hope is that these tools will successfully automate mundane administrative tasks such as documentation, thus allowing practitioners to dedicate more time to meaningful human connection with their patients. I envision myself continuing to contribute to this future by remaining in the Emergency Room, providing direct patient care and helping individuals in the DMV…one person at a time.
How do you like to spend your time outside of MedStar? Where are your favorite weekend spots and activities?
Outside of work, I enjoy unwinding at home with my wife and a good movie and some popcorn. I also enjoy exploring the city’s restaurant scene, with favorite spots including Duke’s Grocery for a quality burger and Vace Italian Deli for excellent pizza. I also love a good bagel at Bagels Etc. and a big bowl of Matzo Ball Soup at Mikey and Mel’s.
As someone who was born and raised in Texas, I am continually searching for authentic, high-quality barbecue and Tex-Mex. (If you have any exceptional local recommendations, please feel free to share them if you see me around the hospital.) As a casual history enthusiast, I love visiting the countless historical sites around DC. I consider the Jefferson Memorial to be the best of the monuments, hands down. I love walking or running down by the mall and stopping for a breather at Constitution Gardens (same place I got engaged several years ago). When the weather permits, I also enjoy biking around the greater DC area.
