Dr. Dominique Van Beest: Kowalske Outstanding Medical Student in PM&R Award

Dr. Dominique Van Beest
Dr. Dominique Van Beest

By Harriet L. Blake

Dr. Dominique Van Beest wants an answer to the question: “Now what?”

“Of all the questions regarding patient care, this one has been the most frustrating,” she said. “A man is discharged after treatment for a multiple sclerosis exacerbation. The acute problem is over, but his symptoms are still disabling. Now what?

>“A woman who battles months of debilitating weakness is finally given the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and starts [the ALS drug] rilusole. Now what?

Dr. Van Beest was left wondering about the quality of life for homebound patients who are dealing with their diseases and conditions.

“At the start of my third year in medical school, I often wondered why someone hadn’t done something about this. Finally, I realized that I am someone,” she said. “As a physiatrist, I can help patients answer that terrifying ‘now what’ question.”

Her inquisitive nature helped Dr. Van Beest win the 2016 Kowalske Outstanding Medical Student in PM&R [Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation] Award, which annually recognizes a UT Southwestern medical student who demonstrates empathy, compassion, maturity, and inquisitiveness. It is named after the department’s past Chair, Dr. Karen Kowalske, and was first given in 2011.

Dr. Van Beest said she loves the team approach that physiatrists use, adding, “I like the long-term relationship that physiatrists get to cultivate with their patients. We deal with the things that really, really matter to a patient, such as walking; not just their sodium level.”

Because she is interested in treating multiple sclerosis, she especially liked working with MS specialist Dr. Anjali Shah, Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.  “She’s taught me how to identify spastic muscles that would benefit from botulinum toxin injections and how to administer them to patients,” Dr. Van Beest said. “[Dr. Shah] also has a great bedside manner and her patients absolutely love her. That’s the type of doctor I want to be.”

Dr. Kelly Scott, Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, said Dr. Van Beest brings impressive traits into each clinical setting. “Dominique is hard working and always friendly and enthusiastic. She has a love of learning and shows great empathy with patients. She was the President of the PM&R Student Interest Group and achieved one of the highest scores of the end of rotation examination.”

Dr. Van Beest, a graduate of Texas Christian University, with a degree in strategic communications, says that the past year has been unusual because of the large number who have chosen the specialty. “I was a little nervous with so many smart and wonderful people choosing PM&R that I wouldn’t get to stay at UT Southwestern,” she said. “Luckily, I think we all got what we wanted.”

She has been to 58 countries, studied abroad on the Semester at Sea program where she went around the world, sailing west from Mexico and returning to Florida. Dr. Van Beest also is a self-admitted horror movie aficionado as well as a pit bull rescue advocate.

A Fort Worth native, she comes from an accomplished family. She is the daughter of Dr. Johann Van Beest, a chiropractor, and former professional ballet dancer Judith Van Beest. Her sister, Danielle, is an actress, and her brother, Julian, is a guitarist.

As the recipient of the Kowalske Award, Dr. Van Beest will receive a plaque and a $250 gift certificate