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Lending a hand: MHS graduate does training at local clinic

Staff reporter

In 1996, as a Marion High School junior, Eliza Bennett became interested in medicine by doing various rotations with local doctors.

Nearly 10 years later, this fourth-year medical student at the University of Kansas Medical School, Kansas City, has returned to train with Dr. Don Hodson, at Marion Family Physicians clinic, as part of her training to become a doctor.

Medical students are required to work one, 30-day rotation in a rural setting during the course of their training, and Bennett chose Marion.

Hodson said usually two medical students from KU come to Marion each year for training.

"Students can choose where they do their rotations," Hodson explained. "Oftentimes, students will choose their hometowns."

Bennett is thankful for the learning opportunity with Hodson, and time at home.

"It has given me a chance to spend time with my parents," said Bennett. Her parents are Harry and Marjorie Bennett of Marion.

As a student at the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Bennett helped to organize a group of KU medical students and doctors who traveled to Belize, where her parents were Peace Corps volunteers, and provide treatment to natives.

Bennett was able to travel to Belize four different times to provide treatment to patients in clinic settings.

She hopes the program will continue.

Bennett holds a degree in biochemistry from KU, and likes the technical aspect of medicine.

Job variety and the ability to help others attracted Bennett to the profession.

"I had cared for disabled people and wanted to work in a profession where I could help people," Bennett explained. Her field of expertise will be obstetrics and gynecology.

She decided to pursue a career in this particular field because it's her passion.

During a rotation in obstetrics, it was her turn to go off-duty and rest. She was so interested in the work, she didn't want to leave her post.

Since that experience, she knew that was the type of medicine she wanted to practice.

"I really enjoyed the 'on-call' in that field," Bennett said.

She also is interested in the surgery aspect of medicine, but doesn't want to do it all day, every day. In this field, she figures she'll get her share of opportunities to perform surgeries.

"I want to help people make healthy choices in early stages of their lives," Bennett said, "when they still can make a difference."

She plans to graduate in May, and will begin a four-year residency. In March, she will be notified of which hospital she'll serve. Bennett anticipates it will be a larger hospital — one with an OB/GYN department.

After she completes her residency, Bennett will be able to practice medicine.

Currently Bennett resides in Kansas City, where she will return at the end of July when her rotation at Marion Family Physicians is completed.

She's eager to complete her training and get a "real job," helping others.

"I just love delivering babies," Bennett said with a smile.

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