This spotlight series highlights the individuals behind the white coats, their journeys, passions, and the impact they’re making in the field of medicine. Today, we highlight Julia Fleecs, MD.
Incoming Resident: Julia Fleecs, MD
Where are you from?
Glidden, Iowa
Where did you attend Medical School?
University of Iowa
Favorite memory of Medical School?
I had the opportunity to travel to Tanzania on several occasions and work with an organization called Eye Corps helping to train local surgeons/residents in ophthalmic surgery.
Favorite memory of your intern residency year?
Getting to explore all that St Louis has to offer with my co-residents! From pick-up basketball at forest park to the farmers market at tower grove- so many cool places and even better food!
Why did you choose Ophthalmology?
Ophthalmology has the perfect blend of new tech, surgery, and patient relationships! Vision has such an impact on quality of life for our patients. It is a scary thing to lose, and in ophthalmology, we get to help restore vision or simply be there for patients during some of their most vulnerable times.
Why did you choose WashU Medicine?
From my very first interview social I could tell the people were special! Everyone I’ve worked with, from co-residents to the clinical staff, are so passionate about what they do and find such joy doing it! Residency is hard but the people make it worth it!
What are you most looking forward to during your residency?
I look forward to seeing me and my fellow PGY-2 residents develop our confidence and skills over the next few years so that we can be the mentors to the new residents that the current seniors are to us! I feel lucky to be training at a top tier program like WashU so that come graduation I’m a well-trained, competent surgeon in all areas of ophthalmology!
