Becoming a Surgeon with Donavon Dahmer

Sight is what you see with your eyes, whereas vision is what you see with your mind. Vision is claimed to be the most potent force on earth.  It allows us to see things not yet on earth.  Vision is the ability to see the invisible, make it possible to formulate a clear picture of a preferable future, and choose an option that you may consider worthy of pursuing. Thus, we can all agree that vision drives us to victory. However, there are things that can cloud our vision and prevent us from pursuing our passions. 

There will always be something that may make us question our dreams, resulting in  a more doubtful pursuit of our goal. People around us will have diverse opinions that can be beneficial or detrimental to us. Therefore, when plagued with voices incapable of inspiring us, we must learn how to silence them and focus on what God is calling us to do. We must always chase our passion and count on words that aim to help us prosper and do better. Moreover, we must never take "no" for an answer but persevere in adversity. Remember that God gives us the vision to accomplish a greater purpose which might seem incomprehensible to others but is always clear to your heart.

Donavon Dahmer is a brilliant and empowered man who grew up in a small town in Mississippi and studied at the Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama. Donavon is a graduating senior who received a 2019 Phi Kappa Phi National Fellowship for graduate study, making him the fifth USA student to receive a national PKP honor in recent years. He is the descendant of Vernon Dahmer, a Civil Rights activist who gave his life to provide equality and the right to vote for Mississippians. He was also selected by the University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences for the 2023 class of resident ophthalmologists.

In this special episode with Donavon Dahmer, we'll learn about the humbling achievements of a graduating medical student who had experienced the unique learning method amidst the pandemic. Be enthralled by how he learned life lessons that helped him thrive for greatness and what compels him to pursue a profession in ophthalmology.

"Sometimes we get so caught up in listening to what others are doing and saying. I think that it is important to block out the voices that aren't willing to invest in you and go after what you desire and what you feel like God or whoever you believe in is calling you to do." – Donavon Dahmer

Topics Covered:

(00:00:00) Introduction + Episode Snippet

(00:00:42) Introducing our special guest, Donavon Dahmer.

(00:01:31) Do not take mentorship lightly.

(00:03:00) Teamwork: What Donavon learned through Dr. Burgess?

(00:05:07) A life lesson about being prepared at all times.

(00:06:23) The small things we take for granted

(00:07:50) The Medical school during the pandemic

(00:09:00) The ability to adapt is essential in medicine.

(00:10:17) How does the story of Donavon's great-grandfather influence his life?

(00:12:50) Refusing to accept "no" for an answer.

(00:14:00) The Residency Match Process

(00:16:16) Quick Reminder: Are you enjoying this episode? Please share it, leave a five-star review, and give feedback. Go to TimeOut with the SportsDr website. 

(00:16:57) How Donavon found out he had been matched at the University of Iowa

(00:18:26) Appreciate how you have been blessed. 

(00:19:07) What inspired Donavon to pursue a career in ophthalmology?

(00:20:34) The power to restore vision

(00:21:48) Having a healthy balance in life: Career, Community, and Family

(00:22:58) Final TimeOut with Donavon Dahmer: How would you encourage someone to pursue his dreams in medicine?

(00:23:59) Don't listen to the voices that aren't willing to encourage you.

(00:25:09) Figure out and follow your calling.

(00:26:07) Control what you can and trust God with the rest.

(00:26:46) Live without regrets.

(00:27:48) Connect with Donavon Dahmer.

Key Takeaways: 

"Whenever I have the opportunity to mentor someone else, I don't take it lightly, and I know the impressions that you can make on other people just by being present sometimes." – Dr. Derrick Burgess

"We do some things jokingly, but we know they have a bigger purpose. These small things that you take for granted sometimes are the decision making." – Donavon Dahmer

"My school did a great job of just being able to get us the right material and the right fashion where we could all work through it independently while still having good support." – Donavon Dahmer

"Medical school online was like online school on steroids, and you had to be disciplined because you couldn't go to class anymore. You had to create a plan." – Donavon Dahmer

"My great-grandfather inspired me as a man to go after those things that I also have a passion for and not to take no for an answer but to continue to persevere." – Donavon Dahmer

"I want to give back to the community as my great grandfather did." – Donavon Dahmer

"Eight years of constant studying has finally paid off because I'm going to be an eye surgeon. And I give all glory to God because he's been with me every step of the way." – Donavon Dahmer

"You have to truly remember how blessed you are to be in this opportunity because you're going into one of the more competitive residency programs and more competitive specialties in medicine, and you're very blessed to be there." – Dr. Derrick Burgess

"I loved the fact that I could do surgery and clinics. I found it to be fascinating, and it all just worked out where it was just like a perfect fit for me, and the biggest thing also is that I get to restore vision." – Donavon Dahmer

"Ophthalmology gives me that healthy balance of being able to not only work hard and do well for myself and give back to patients, but also be able to be at home, be present, enjoy different things in life, and have a wholly healthy life." – Donavon Dahmer

"Figure out what your calling is and then don't listen to the voices that aren't talking to you to invest in you." – Donavon Dahmer

"When you have mentors, their words are investments, but there will be people out there that will try to either discourage and insult you." – Dr. Derrick Burgess

"Whatever you desire to do or wherever you're being led to go, don't give up until reality comes in and says you really can't do this." – Donavon Dahmer

"Never be the person who's on trial and the judge simultaneously. All you can do is what you can do; therefore, control what you can and leave the rest to God." – Dr. Derrick Burgess

Connect with Donavon Dahmer:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009806193719

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/d_dahmer25/

Connect with Dr. Derrick Burgess:

Website: https://www.drderrickthesportsdr.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drderrickthesportsdr/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TimeOut.SportsDr

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrick-burgess-72047b246/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHGDu1zT4K_X6PnYELu8weg

Email: thesportsdoctr@gmail.com

This episode of TimeOut with the SportsDr. is produced by Podcast VAs Philippines - the team that helps podcasters effectively launch and manage their podcasts, so we don't have to. Record, share, and repeat! Podcast VAs PH gives me back my time, so I can focus on the core functions of my business. Need expert help with your podcast? Go to www.podcastvasph.com.