From isolated, diabetic, and depressed, to social, losing weight, and happy: just one example of dramatic patient transformations thanks to Dr. Jamile Ashmore ’88.
On October 23, Dr. Ashmore came to talk about this case and his career in psychology to aspiring medical students in the Medical Society.
“Dr. Ashmore works as the clinical director at Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Plano, and researches the biopsychosocial aspects of chronic disease, like COPD,” began Medical Society president, Ryan Macalanda ‘18.
“Distinct from most other guest speakers, the former Jesuit state wrestling champion obtained a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Ohio State University, as opposed to a medical degree that the physician speakers possess, and functioned as a perfect first speaker through his more than a decade long holistic approach to patient care.”
In his presentation, Ashmore explained his inspiration, education, and career starting from Jesuit. In high school, the question of “what makes an athlete better than another if their physical attributes are the same?” was what first got Ashmore interested in psychology. “I was always interested in what made people different, more than just physically.” Then, in college, “every class [he] took got [him] more interested in psychology.”
Ashmore also explained what psychologists actually do. They are actually involved in many fields such as picking juries, criminal profiling, and neurology to name a few.
“Dr. Ashmore served as an excellent example of a complete presentation for the medical society,” said Macalanda, “even going beyond what was expected. I particularly appreciated his emphasis on his daily routine, when he provided an exceptional point-of-view of how a clinical psychologist takes on a case, examining the biological, psychological, behavioral and social problems that affect the maintenance of a high quality of life for his patients. I believe that Dr. Ashmore sparked interest in the club when he recalled his passion for devoting his life to psychology, in which he highlighted his research on the mental factors that individualize “championship” athletes.”
Ashmore’s talk was a success and now the Medical Society has plans for more guest speakers. According to Macalanda, “In the near future we will be hearing from Dr. William J. Robertson, a specialist in sports medicine and orthopedic surgery who attended Brown University, playing all four years as a starting linebacker for the division-I football team. Members of the medical society as well as Jesuit students with no interest in medicine may find his presentation captivating because of his experience working as the official team physician for the Dallas Stars, as well as with the Texas Rangers. Both members and non-members are encouraged to attend this upcoming meeting to come ask any questions they may have,” he concluded.
