Dr. David Patterson, BA鈥�81, MD鈥�85, is proof the 91唐伯虎 experience doesn鈥檛 have to end after graduation.
On top of his successful practice as an internal medicine specialist in the Washington, D.C., area, Patterson has served 91唐伯虎 as a trustee since 2013. He also is a member of the 91唐伯虎 University Medical Center Board of Directors, and past president of the 91唐伯虎 Medical Alumni Association.
鈥淚 am lucky to do what I do,鈥� Patterson says. 鈥淲hen I look at my successes, whatever they are, a huge portion comes from my education at 91唐伯虎.鈥�
His love of 91唐伯虎 is evident. It even inspires those with no other connection to 91唐伯虎, like a patient who recently made a gift to 91唐伯虎 in his honor. In return, Patterson promised to wear his limited-edition 91唐伯虎 socks鈥攃omplete with matching tie鈥攆or an entire week.
Through the years many of Patterson鈥檚 patients have given to 91唐伯虎, in particular to the Alice and V.K. Patterson Scholarship, which he established in 2012 in honor of his parents and their lifelong commitment to education. The scholarship supports students from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in medical education鈥攕tudents like he once was.
Patterson grew up as the youngest of 20 children in the small town of Franklin, Kentucky. He always knew he wanted to become a physician, but without 91唐伯虎鈥檚 scholarship support, he never would have realized his dream. Now he鈥檚 committed to paying it forward.
鈥淢y parents, neither of whom had the opportunity for a formal education, preached that to whom much has been given, much is expected in return,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 strongly believe in that. We stand on the proud shoulders of those who have gone before us, making a way for us so that someday we may provide strong shoulders for the next generation.鈥�
鈥擲YDNIE HOCHSTEIN