Roman Loper, M.D.

What this award means: Throughout this rotation, I developed a deeper appreciation for the complexity of rheumatologic conditions and the importance of a holistic approach when caring for patients with autoimmune diseases. I am truly honored to receive this award and am profoundly grateful to the excellent residents, fellows, and attendings who imparted their wisdom upon me during my time on this service.

Mentor comment: In working with Roman on consults, he was super involved and enthusiastic about seeing patients. He is definitely a standout. – Aemen Zamir, M.D., Rheumatology fellow

Background and family: I grew up in McKinney, Texas, with my parents and younger sister in a 100-plus-year-old house surrounded by 4 acres of woods. Our house was very much a fixer-upper, so I spent many weekends helping my DIY-savvy parents with projects. Learning electrical, plumbing, and home repair skills sparked my appreciation for complexity and a desire to understand how things work.

College: At Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, I double majored in biology and a unique major called health: science, society, and policy (HSSP). Through HSSP, I took courses in medical anthropology, sociology, and health policy at the national and international levels. I also continued studying Spanish and spent three months in Chile where I studied public health, traditional medicine, and community empowerment.

What led to your career path: My interest in healthcare began when I saw family members struggle with chronic medical conditions. During a college medical anthropology course, I read an ethnography about people experiencing homelessness and addiction in San Francisco. This inspired me to spend my two gap years prior to medical school serving with AmeriCorps and the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program. This experience showed me the impact primary care can have on serving this population.

UTSW activities: I performed cholesterol screening at a local health fair, volunteered at a student-run free clinic at Calvert Place, and conducted research on tobacco use and smoking cessation attitudes among the homeless. I also served as Calvert Place Navigation Lead for the Patient Navigator Program. Additionally, I volunteered as an Academic Colleges peer mentor and peer advocate.

What words describe your UTSW experience: Rewarding, inspiring, and supportive.

One tip for medical school success: Trust yourself! Although medical school is challenging and there are certainly periods of self-doubt, trust that you know more than you think and that you belong here.

Favorite way to relieve stress: I often go for a long run. When I have more time, I love to go hiking and camping with my fiancee and our 3-year-old poodle, Vega!

Surprising fact: I was vegan for the first five years of my life and have been vegetarian ever since.

Future plans: After finishing my residency at Yale New Haven Hospital in Connecticut, I plan to pursue a career in primary care for underserved communities, with a focus on people experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders, and living with HIV.

About the award: The Goldings Award, presented to the most outstanding medical student in rheumatology, is named for Dr. Eliot A. Goldings, a former Division of Rheumatic Diseases faculty member who died in 1988.