Joseph McDermott's Interests and Hobbies

Science

As I grew older, my interests expanded, so that by the time I entered college at Weber, I had many interests and felt there were many different fields I could have gone into and been happy.  I enjoyed programming computers, starting from the fifth grade, and had developed an interest in math, music, art, the humanities, psychology and history.  I started off college not sure which field to pursue, and I planned to figure out what I wanted to major in by the time I finished my generals.  Near the top of my list was computer science.  The first computer class I took in college was C++, as I already knew Pascal and BASIC quite well, and also had a working knowledge of 6502 assembly language. The computer system where I started as an undergraduate was ancient, and took five minutes to compile, link, and run a 10 or 20 line program. Given that each program I wrote initially had several bugs to work out -- I was learning a new language -- and it took several tries before each bug was worked out, I found I was spending hours per day waiting for the computer to be done so that I could start working.  This took the joy out of programming, and so I went on to greener pastures. My dad is a business professor, and he talked me into trying business as a major.  I began taking business classes, but most enjoyed the science classes I was taking on the side for my own curiosity and enjoyment. By the time I had completed enough business classes at to get a minor, I realized that I could only be fully happy in a science field.
 

My father encouraged me to obtain a broad education, and from his example he had shown me the value of knowledge and education.I had watched my father take classes in the evenings, really without a break, throughout my childhood.He already had a master's degree, and had a good job in a secure position, first as a hospital administrator, and later as financial vice-president of a growing computer company.Still, he continued to apply himself to learning, and when I was in fifth grade, he undertook a heroic effort and completed a Ph.D. with a family of seven. As I started college, my father told me to not be in a rush to get through school, but to take extra classes and extra time getting through.  With grants, scholarships, and a half-tuition break, I was going to school without cost, and because there were so many things that I wanted to learn, I decided to go for it. I took classes in all kinds of subject that I was curious about: over three years of chemistry, math through differential equations and 10 hours of statistics, a year of physics, three geology classes, miscellaneous science classes like astronomy, five history classes, five writing classes, three psychology classes, various classes in art, music, and the humanities, and more than enough biology to get a major with an emphasis in biochemistry.  I graduated with about 300 quarter hours, from a program at the University of Utah where I only needed 180 hours for a degree.  I also graduated and obtained two certificates of advanced achievement from the LDS Institute system.  I know what you're wondering, so I will go ahead and tell you.  Yes, I would do it again this way if I had that chance to do it over.  There are some classes that I would not have taken, but I can certainly think of others that I still very much want to take that I have not yet had the chance to take.  I am very grateful for the opportunity that I have had for education, and with a residency and probable fellowship ahead, I will not be through my formal education for still many years to come.

Medicine

When I was young, my father was assistant administrator at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, and later he was administrator at Sevier Valley Hospital. He occasionally took me to see where he worked, and I remember looking with interest at all that I saw there.  The infants in the neonatal ward, the x-ray machines, and the operating rooms all captivated me, although my favorite part of each visit was when my dad's secretary, Carma Pectol, would give me a dime for the candy machines.  I think that these early experiences planted a seed that lead to my fascination with medicine.  In college I got a job on the long-term care pediatrics floor of South Davis Community Hospital.  When I applied for the position, I thought the job would be fulfilling, but I did not expect more than that from it.  As I started working with the kids, I found that not only was it personally rewarding but also a lot of fun. Because of my experiences there, I decided to go into medicine for a career.  Although none of the children in my family were pushed in any particular direction, each of us ended up connected in some way to the medical field.  My brother Richard is a dental student at USC.  Christine has been a certified nurse assistant for four years and was recently accepted into the nursing program at Weber State University.  Amy recently married Spencer Elmore, who is on his way to becoming a doctor.  Missy is an RN, and her husband Doug White is a medical student a year ahead of me at USUHS. Yeah, he is the one who talked me into checking the school out.  The school is the nation's military medical school, training MDs for the Air Force, Army, and Navy.  After I interviewed here and saw what they had to offer, I was sold, and I am grateful that I ended up here.  The education is top-notch, the opportunities for further education, service, and adventure are incredible, and both Jenny and I appreciate the security that comes with me being an officer in the US Air Force.  Another nice benefit about attending USUHS is having Missy and Doug right around the corner from us.  By the way, how do you like this picture my little buddy Ashton drew of me?

Research

Music

My favorite composers include Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Handel, Vivaldi, Ravel, and Górecki.  My love of classical music started when I was in fifth grade, and I had more curiosity than knowledge at that point.  Neither of my parents are classical music fans, so I had to ask for some classical music for Christmas.  As my knowledge of classical music grew, I became most interested in large works for large orchestras -- symphonies.  Starting in college, my tastes shifted, so that although I still enjoy symphonies, I most enjoy works in which each instrument can be heard, and especially love baroque music.  I went from being most interested in Romantic music like that of Berlioz and the loud stuff of Tchaikovsky, and modern experimental music like John Cage and Charles Ives, to being more interested, in general, in earlier music.  Performing groups that I especially like include the Kronos Quartet and Anonymous 4.  In college I also came to love jazz.  My favorite jazz artists are John Coltrane and Miles Davis, although I also enjoy many others including Thelonious Monk, Herbie Hancock, Duke Ellington, and Benny Goodman.

Art

Reading

Writing

Jenny