ANNA KING
Assistant News Editor
When people think of the traditional role of a doctor, few would jump to think of the situation into which 1992 Pepperdine alumnus Paul Giboney has chosen to devote his time and expertise. Instead of a shiny hospital in a suburban neighborhood, Giboney spends his days serving those who cannot afford medical treatment in the inner city of Los Angeles.
Giboney is the Associate Medical Director of Clinica Monsenor Oscar A. Romero located on South Alvarado Street in downtown Los Angeles, a non-profit community health center. After majoring in biology at Pepperdine, Giboney attended medical school at Northwestern University medical school. He has worked at the clinic since 2002 and as its director since 2004. At the clinic, staff serve about 50,000 visitors each year to uninsured or underinsured residents.
“One of the exciting things about working in the medical field is that every day is a fresh new challenge,” Giboney said. “Every patient is a relationship to be built and a problem to be solved. As doctors, we have the incredible privilege to be present in many of the sacred moments of a person’s life. There is also, in the neighborhood and population that I work with, the opportunity to work on behalf of and advocate for the needs of the most vulnerable people in our country.”
Gibony credited the work of his professors at Pepperdine who helped him gain a passion for the sciences and also to think hard about the implications of such study in the world at large.
In addition to his work as a student in the Natural Science Division, Giboney also invested a significant amount of his time to volunteer around the Pepperdine community while an undergraduate.
“Living out my faith in Campus Ministry and in the service aspects of my fraternity were important as I learned to put belief and conviction into real-life application,” Giboney said. “The people who led the trips to Mexico to build houses were a real inspiration.”
Through the majors and educational programs offered, Pepperdine’s Natural Science Division is able to provide a liberal arts education in conjunction with an understanding of the sciences.
The unique coordination of the study of science with the conservative Christian faith is something that Dr. Jim White, professor and coordinator of chemistry, said he believes helps the students rather than hinders them in their research.
“Being strong in the sciences and also in the Christian faith, as well as an emphasis on research, makes Pepperdine’s science program unique from those of a lot of universities,” White said.
According to the division Web site, by providing students with accurate, theoretical and practical information, students are able to build upon their observations in the classroom when they conduct research as undergraduates, graduates and later in the workforce.
“In the sciences, laboratories and research opportunities are very important,” said Dr. Douglas Swartzendruber, professor of biology and the chair of the Natural Science Division. “All students that are interested can benefit from having a research opportunity as an undergraduate. The experience certainly prepares them and gives them added benefits in grad school and the workforce, regardless of the final occupation.”
Research programs are available to juniors and seniors in both biology and sports medicine.
Another program that allows undergraduates to become more connected with their majors and division is the annual summer middle school science camp that is sponsored and run by the Natural Science Division faculty and its students.
“Through the summer camp, undergraduates have the opportunity to become mentors and teachers to the students and help spread their passion to younger students,” said Dr. Donna Nofziger Plank, associate professor of biology.
Students who are interested in the sciences are encouraged to participate in the tropical ecology of Costa Rica summer research trip. The program includes visits to parks throughout the country followed by 10 days of ecological study and research at the La Selva Biological Station.
Giboney suggests that students who are interested in pursuing a profession in the natural sciences, especially medicine, should consider branching out of their studies in order to cultivate a complete education.
“Of course, doing well in the sciences and on the MCAT test is important,” Giboney said. “However, equally valuable is what is done away from the lab. Mission trips, foreign travel, service or volunteer work and exploration and deepening of faith is just as important in preparing for a life in medicine.”
While a profession in the medical field is one that many people aspire to, Giboney suggests that it’s not for the light of heart in conviction.
“I would encourage students to follow what their heart calls them to,” Giboney said. “There is a lengthy period of sacrifice and service ahead in medicine and one should do it only if they really feel strongly about it. However it is a wonderful and fulfilling profession.”
Many graduates of the natural science division continue their education into graduate school at universities across the country, including UCLA, USC and Texas A&M University, according to the natural science division Web site.
“I think that the willingness of professors to help you and the laboratory experience have benefited my preparation for grad. school and beyond,” said junior chemistry major Natalie Bradfield.
Other students plan on taking the skills learned while at Pepperdine straight into the workforce, such as senior Colin Sisco, who will work as a sports medicine physician’s aide in Seattle, Wash. next year.
“The classes at Pepperdine more than adequately prepared me for the workforce,” Sisco said. “Since everyone is trying to get good grades, there is a sense of competition in order to get the best grades.”
Giboney suggests that students in any area of study, not just the sciences, will be successes as long as they keep their priorities together
“No matter what career a person goes into, there is no more important aspect of life than God and family –neither is worth losing for a position or a paycheck,” Giboney said.
For more information on the clinic please visit their Web site at www.clinicaromero.com
02-16-2006