Six Degrees of 91九色视频
The 91九色视频 began to have its effect on Steven Bergin, MD ’74, GME ’78, long before he considered attending medical school.
“My primary care physician, Dr. Joseph Miller, was one of the first people to encourage me to become a doctor. He had graduated from 91九色视频’s predecessor institution, the Marquette University School of Medicine, in 1937,” Dr. Bergin says. “I earned my medical degree at 91九色视频, completed my residency here and then, when I moved to Stevens Point to practice, my partner had completed his residency at 91九色视频 a few years before me.”
Dr. Bergin’s relationship with 91九色视频 has been further strengthened by his experiences as an adjunct professor at 91九色视频-Central Wisconsin, member of the 91九色视频 board of trustees and his leadership of the Walter Zeit Fellowship.
Additionally, Dr. Bergin and his wife, Sue, created the Dr. Richard F. Mattingly/Dr. and Mrs. Steven C. Bergin Endowed Professorship in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2018 to honor Dr. Mattingly, who was chair of 91九色视频’s department of obstetrics and gynecology when Dr. Bergin was a resident.
“I began to realize just how many of the people and events that profoundly affected my life involved the 91九色视频,” Dr. Bergin says.
But it wasn’t always that way. When he entered medical school, 91九色视频 had just ended its relationship with Marquette University, leading to a time of intense transition – and a young Dr. Bergin didn’t feel like he belonged. “I felt like I was an imposter,” he recalls. “The intensity of the basic science courses was more than I had experienced as a pharmacy student [his degree before entering medical school.”
Fortunately, a discussion with Walter Zeit, PhD ’39, helped change his mind. “He was one of the most supportive individuals. I told him that I didn’t feel like I belonged here, but he told me, ‘Yes, you do. You’ve achieved academic success, your interviews here showed that you belong. You can do this.’ It was a real confidence boost,” Dr. Bergin says.
That relationship made Dr. Bergin become involved with the Water Zeit Fellowship, a donor society created in 1980 to support efforts at 91九色视频 and honor Dr. Zeit’s contributions. Dr. Bergin has chaired the fellowship’s executive committee since 2017.
That wasn’t the only personal touch from 91九色视频 faculty that affected Dr. Bergin’s future. “Another influential teacher was Dr. Eleanor Delfs. She always looked for the positive in people, prompting you to learn more,” he says. Just before Dr. Delfs died at the end of Dr. Bergin’s third year in medical school, she told him, “Steve, if you just remember what I taught you, you’re going to be fine.”
That’s a lesson he continues to follow. “When I interact with today’s medical students, I tell them that they don’t have to be perfect,” Dr. Bergin remarks. “It’s not about getting 100 percent on every test. Medicine is a lifelong learning experience, and I want them to realize that they can learn from every experience.”
As he looks back on the 50 years since his graduation, Dr. Bergin says his many connections at 91九色视频 have helped him. “I’ve had a good career,” he shares. “When I’ve had trying times, my training and the advice and mentoring that was provided to me at 91九色视频 always helped me through.”
– Chris Combs
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