Kurtis Lindeman, M.D., Combined Program Assistant Director
Undergraduate: B.S. in Astronomy, Philosophy and Physics from the University of Wisconsin
Medical School : Medical College of Wisconsin
"I was born just outside of LaCrosse, WI, which if you have a map handy you’ll find in Western Wisconsin along the Mississippi river . I grew up in the country and attended a high school in which my graduating class was barely 100 people. I attended college at the University of Wisconsin – Madison where I studied Astronomy and Philosophy. By the time I was nearing the end of college I discovered that while I loved both these fields, neither had the human connection that I desired. Medicine became for me the perfect combination of the science and humanities that I loved with the human application I craved. I graduated with degrees in Astrophysics and Philosophy, but I had to sweat it out until months later when I would receive my acceptance letter from the Medical College of Wisconsin.
When I think about medicine, the doctor I envision is a Family Physician. To me a doctor sees any patient with any problem, solves the medical puzzle, and guides the patient through the treatment process. While I enjoy all aspects of medicine, the specialty that I enjoy most is Psychiatry. Mental processes and disease fascinate me. I have found psychiatry to be the most intellectually stimulating field of medicine
In the same way that medicine is for me the perfect combination of science and human interaction, the combined Family Medicine – Psychiatry residency is the perfect combination of the general medicine I want to know and the specialty medicine I find most captivating. San Diego has been the most amazing place to train as a combined resident. Working along side extraordinary combined colleagues to provide care to the patients at St Vincent de Paul galvanizes the unique skill set of a combined doctor. In my future practice as a dually trained physician I’d like to continue to provide health care for the under-privileged. Ultimately I hope to return to my rural roots and provide physical and mental health care to a small community."
