Saturday, October 5, 2024

Career shaped by sister’s autism

Posted

Waupaca woman pursues medical degree

By Jane Myhra


George George

Childhood experiences have shaped a career path for Julie George of Waupaca.

She decided to pursue a degree in medicine, and was recently accepted for admission to the Medical College of Wisconsin in De Pere.

After working four years in the medical field as a child counselor and patient services representative (PSR), she realized her true passion is medicine – specifically child psychiatry.

Her interest in the well being of children started when her sister was diagnosed with autism at a young age.

“It was difficult for my family to find consistent, adequate care,” George said. “While interning at a behavioral health clinic, the deficit in child psychiatric services in central Wisconsin was evident, and I learned my family was not alone in facing these challenges.”

She is currently employed as a PSR for Prevea Health and as a behavioral counselor for Bellin Child Psychiatry in Green Bay.

“Working directly with pediatric psychiatric inpatients for the past four years has reaffirmed my medical aspirations,” George said. “I am excited to have the opportunity to train as a physician. I hope to give back to the community by helping children and their families in the future.”

The daughter of Dr. Anthony D. and Paula George of Waupaca, George is a 2005 graduate of Waupaca High School. She graduated magna cum laude from Ripon College in 2009 and completed additional degree work at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and UW-Green Bay.

George will attend the MCW-Green Bay campus at St. Norbert College in De Pere.

Julie George