Resident Spotlight: Dr. Patrick McDaniel

Get to know Dr. Patrick McDaniel – pickleballer, Delta native, and PGY-2 internal medicine resident.

Tell us about you.

I grew up in Greenwood, MS which is in the Delta. I graduated from Mississippi College (MC) with a degree in biology and minored in psychology. I then spent a year working as a tech in the adult ER at UMMC prior to medical school. Afterwards, I stayed at UMMC for medical school, as well as internal medicine residency.

Why did you choose UMMC for residency?

I wanted a place with a variety of pathology in an academic setting with great mentors. I desired a program where the residents got along well and enjoyed going to work. I felt like I had found that here at UMMC and that I would fit in well. The medicine faculty are people and physicians that I aspire to be like moving into my career. I also felt more of a sense of ownership and connection being able to help patients from my home state, even while in training.

Tell us about a memorable experience from training.

On a recent house month, we had a patient who was at the end of his life who transitioned to comfort care late on a call day. In the midst of a dismal situation, the patient’s wife consistently voiced her thankfulness for our kindness and honesty in conveying her husband’s condition in the days prior to his passing. This was a reminder that our purpose as physicians is not found solely in the healing, but also in walking alongside our patients and their families with kindness and support.

What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?

I could give a presentation off the cuff on the professional tennis ATP tour, all the tournaments, the rankings and how it works. I enjoyed playing tennis growing up with my family and a short stent playing competitively in the juniors. These days, I have traded in my tennis racket for a pickleball paddle. If anyone is looking for a pickup game, hit me up.

What are some small things that make your day better?

A nice pen and a good cup of coffee can go a long way. I always enjoy when I’m calling a consult and a friend answers the phone.

Where could we find you when you are not at the hospital?

Outside of the hospital, you can catch me reading at a local coffee shop, playing some pickleball, or at Bellwether Church.

What profession would you have chosen if you weren’t a physician?

Would have been a long shot but as an avid tennis fan, I would have wanted to be a tennis commentator. After that, I think I would have enjoyed being a college professor teaching med bio or psychology courses.