Cameron Brownlee

If it hadn’t been for one incredible medical school mentor, Dr. Sheena CarlLee, my wife and I might have never applied to Iowa. At the time, we felt lucky just to get an interview. But after meeting Dr. Suneja and the rest of the faculty, Iowa suddenly felt almost too good to be true. Despite our doubts—and thinking it was a long shot—we ranked Iowa number one.

Iowa has been a second home for my family and I since we moved here for residency. We were welcomed with open arms and have made countless lifelong friendships. Coming from Arkansas, the transition certainly wasn’t easy (and yes, it’s still very cold), but the immense amount of support and remarkable training we have received have certainly been worth it.

Iowa trains excellent physicians, and I am incredibly proud to have shared this journey alongside such talented friends and colleagues. Over the past few years, I’ve looked up to many of our previous chiefs. They were bright, confident, and compassionate, but most importantly, they were humble educators—always willing to teach and always eager to learn.

Being selected as chief is an honor and a remarkable achievement. I strive to be like my mentors and role models before me. I strive to contribute to Iowa’s culture of inclusivity and outstanding medical education. Over the next year, I look forward to focusing on these goals, growing as a clinician and educator, and proudly navigating fatherhood. After chief year I will be pursuing a fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine.