Freshta Baher Engel

"“Nebraska, huh, is that the one right in the middle?” Yes, I grew up in the great plains in sunny Lincoln, Nebraska, where football, beef, and corn are staples. Although I have called Nebraska my home for several years, I was born in Afghanistan. As an immigrant, I had to use every opportunity I could to immerse myself into American culture, while integrating my Afghan heritage. This dichotomy has given me a unique perspective, especially in the field of medicine. In Afghanistan, preventative care and annual visits weren’t emphasized, so I grew up rarely going to the doctor. As I grew older, I realized the importance of the doctor-patient bond and how much it improves healthcare. I want people, especially people of color, to be able to find a doctor that they could trust. This trust is built with time, but can start by seeing a provider that may have something in common with, whether that’s skin color, belief system, or even hobbies. With my interest in medicine in mind, I obtained my undergraduate degree in Biological Systems Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I then attended medical school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. I spent a lot of time as a student provider at the local free clinic and continued to fall in love with providing care to underserved populations. During my time in medical school, I was lucky enough to meet mentors that furthered my passion and taught me how to provide care with compassion. When I was looking for residency programs, Swedish First Hill stood out because of the faculty’s dedication to providing care to underserved populations. During my years as a resident, I am excited to delve further into my areas of interest which include, reproductive health, obstetrics, refugee and immigrant healthcare, preventative care, and many many more. I am so excited to have found a program whose residents and faculty’s interests align so closely with my own!"