Cole Dain, M.D.

Hometown: Memphis, TN

Undergrad Degree: University of Mississippi

Medical Degree: University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Internship: HCA-LewisGale Montgomery, in Blacksburg, VA

Why did you choose Baptist?

As I interviewed at different programs and spoke with radiology residents, fellows, and attendings, I realized this was the most ideal program for my career goals. Baptist offers a large volume to go through each shift, with generous pay for internal and external moonlighting. The feedback from current and past residents and attending physicians who did their residency here is that they were more prepared for the volume they faced during fellowship and private practice than those who came from other residency programs. Additionally, the attendings are understanding with us needing to learn a large amount of information for each rotation. They make sure we don't feel pressured with trying to push through the list and spend as much time as we need for each study to learn from. Every attending I've worked with has been nice and patient as I ask questions. I'm given plenty of autonomy early on in the rotation and feel like a valued part of the radiology team.

What is your day like?  Any challenges?  What’s rewarding about your day?

I start my day at around 4 a.m. to work out at the gym in the morning before work. I then go to Baptist for either my 7a-4p or 8a-5p shift, depending on the rotation. I start the shift by picking up overnight preliminary reads to make a final report. After that, I'll start picking up new studies that hit the list. Intermittently, I'll sign out the reports with the attending. As an R1, I'm responsible for also answering the phone to protocol studies and to answer any questions the ordering clinician may have. Depending on the rotation, I'll also leave to do procedures. We take a break between 11:45-noon to get food and go to noon conference . After noon conference, I'll go to Angela's office to socialize with the residents for 15 minutes. I then go back to the reading room to finish reading new studies until the end of the shift. I'll then head home to relax and get ready for the next day.

What is your favorite thing about Memphis?

This is my home, where I spend a lot of time with friends and family. Memphis itself has so much soul and opportunities to enjoy and explore. There's so much here for plenty of walks of life to enjoy - from Shelby Farms for those who enjoy being outdoors to plenty of sports teams. 

What made you decide on your career?  Was there someone or something in your life that helped you choose your path?

When I was accepted to medical school, I was told by a former radiology resident at a different program that I should keep my eye on radiology as a potential field to go into, since this field wasn't something medical students were exposed to like others, such as internal medicine or general surgery. So I personally sought out opportunities to shadow and speak with radiologists. I found the combination of imaging and knowledge of medicine to help direct care something I wanted in my medical career. 

Why would you recommend Baptist to a prospective applicant?

This program gives you appropriately graded autonomy as you learn and develop as a future radiologist, with supportive attendings, fellows residents, and staff. There is a ton of volume, with plenty of moonlighting opportunities to help you become more efficient and accurate. There are no fellows at this program, meaning you're not fighting to read studies and do procedures.