After years working in the emergency department, Licensed Paramedic Chris Connolly found his path to becoming a physician—one that would eventually lead through UTMB and a dual MD/MPH degree. Now headed to Austin for his emergency medicine residency, he reflects on the winding journey that brought him here.
The Long Road to Medical School
Chris Connolly's path to becoming a physician followed a unique journey. After graduating from UT Austin in 2010 with a biology degree, he began working as an ER Technician at Brackenridge Hospital in Austin—an experience that proved transformative.
"That place smashed me apart and rebuilt me more times than I can count, but always into something better" he reflects.
His career in emergency medicine continued in Chicago before returning to Texas, where he worked in clinical trial management. Despite having a promising future in that field, Chris couldn't shake his desire to become a physician. After strengthening his academic credentials and retaking the MCAT, his persistence finally paid off with an acceptance to medical school.
Finding His Place in Emergency Medicine
Chris's training as an EMT and paramedic shaped his medical interests from the beginning. He recalls that while there wasn't a single "aha" moment that led him to become a doctor, his first call as an EMT student crystallized his passion for emergency medicine.
"I remember walking through the door of the patient's home with my preceptors and freezing when I saw our patient lying on the floor," he shares. "My preceptors went right to work and got me involved immediately. It showed me that EMS was something I was capable of doing. That set the hook, and emergency medicine has never let me go."
His experience training in EMS systems run by talented EMS medical directors inspired his career aspirations. Leaders like Dr. Mark Escott of Austin-Travis County EMS and Dr. Jeff Jarvis, formerly of Williamson County EMS, demonstrated the impact physician leaders could have on emergency medical systems.
What impressed Chris most about these role models was "how others talk about them when they aren't around. It's very clear how much faith they have in their EMTs and paramedics. Everyone is held to a high standard, and the treatment protocols they write are very progressive as a result."
Adding Public Health to the Equation
When Chris discovered he could pursue an MPH alongside his medical degree without extending his education timeline, he seized the opportunity. What began as a strategic credential to support his goal of becoming an EMS medical director evolved into something more valuable.
The program introduced him to concepts like community-based participatory research and deepened his understanding of social determinants of health. These frameworks transformed how he approaches patient care, looking beyond immediate medical concerns to understand root causes.
"In retrospect, I feel like I was working with an incomplete set of tools as a paramedic," Chris explains. "EMS professionals are often trained to recognize some of the social determinants, but we can't really address them. The MPH program really went beyond in helping me focus on WHY a patient is being seen and not just what their chief complaint says."
Balancing Dual Degrees
One of Chris's most frequent questions from medical students considering the dual degree is about the workload. He's quick to reassure them that the program is designed to complement medical education rather than compete with it.
"Biostatistics and bioethics curriculum actually makes you MORE prepared for board exams and clinicals," he notes, dispelling concerns that the additional studies might distract from core medical education.
He also addresses misconceptions about career limitations. "The MPH doesn't box you in; it makes your box bigger," Chris says, pointing to the diverse specialties his fellow MD/MPH graduates have pursued.
Unexpected Opportunities
Beyond his academic and clinical work, Chris found unique experiences that enriched his time in medical school. An accomplished drummer, he once performed at The Grand 1894 Opera House alongside faculty members and residents.
"I couldn't hear the counts and flubbed a couple of cues, but we still had a great time!" he recalls. These moments outside the classroom and clinic highlighted the unexpected connections formed during his medical education.
Looking Forward, Informed by the Past
As Chris prepares for his emergency medicine residency in Austin, he brings with him not just medical knowledge but perspective gained through his unconventional path. The years spent in emergency services, the detours along the way, and the public health education have all shaped his approach to medicine.
When asked what would surprise his former self the most about who he is today, Chris reflects: "How much I've valued the journey here, and that I wouldn't change a thing. I learned more about patience and humility in failure than I ever did in success."
His advice to new healthcare professionals captures this perspective: "Be confident in what you know, and be humbled by what you don't."
This wisdom—earned through years of persistence—may be the most valuable thing Chris carries forward into his career as an emergency physician and, perhaps someday, as a medical director following in the footsteps of his mentors.
Chris Connolly graduated with his MD/MPH degrees in 2025 and is beginning his emergency medicine residency in Austin, Texas.