Name
Nathan E. Boys, DO
Residency Program
Family Medicine
Program Year
PGY-3 Chief Resident
Medical School
A.T. Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Home
West Plains, MO
About
Why did you choose a career in Family Medicine?
I chose a career in Family Medicine because it’s such a broad, diverse field and because of the relationships I form with my patients.
What are some of your fondest memories of medical school?
Some of my fondest memories in medical school include seeing patients in a rural primary care office and my three-month stint at an FQHC seeing primary care patients, psych patients and pediatrics.
What drew you to pursue the Family Medicine residency program with NGMC?
I chose Northeast Georgia Medical Center because of the good reputation the health care system has and the integrated system our Family Medicine clinic has. Coming here was an easy choice so we can be near my wife’s family.
You’re now a Chief Resident in the Family Medicine residency program here at NGMC; can you share more about that?
For Family Medicine, a Chief Resident is someone in their final year of residency who oversees scheduling, problem solving, mentoring, and leadership development of their co-residents. It’s a great opportunity for someone interested in leadership to get hands-on experience in a clinical setting before working as an attending. It can be a lot of work, but so far it’s been rewarding!
How do you maintain wellness here in residency?
For me, achieving wellness is a combination of things I want to do and things I need to do to be at my best for my family, co-workers and patients. I have systems in place to make it easier for me to do things like exercise, meditate, stay off social media, journal and go to bed at a decent hour. I also have a very supportive wife who loves planning trips for us so we get quality time, whether it’s going to the beach or working in our garden.
Now that you are going into your third year of residency, how do you suggest interns that are arriving in June maintain wellness during residency?
My advice for our new incoming residents consists of three things:
- Remember why you wanted to be a doctor in the first place. Days will be hard, and some days will be really hard. Journaling at the end of those days will help you find those moments where you made a true difference in the lives of others.
- Find what wellness looks like for you. If it doesn’t make you feel refreshed and re-energized, then you don’t have to do it just because someone else does!
- Make it easy to take care of yourself. “Atomic Habits” by James Clear is a great book for establishing good habits that will stick.
What were your favorite clubs/activities in high school?
I competed in cross country and track at the D2 level in college. I also played multiple instruments and performed from time to time.
What are your hobbies?
I enjoy staying active with strength training, yoga, walking with my wife and dogs, and gardening.
Do you have a special interest in the field of Family Medicine?
I especially enjoy treating musculoskeletal issues with osteopathic manipulative medicine, type 2 diabetes and behavioral health.
What is the strangest diagnosis you ever encountered?
The most unique diagnosis I came across was acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia. There have been very few cases since it was first identified.
What are your goals during residency training?
Dr. Boys has been accepted into Prisma Health – University of South Carolina Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship.