Dave Riesberg

Diagnostic Radiology, University of Utah Health

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About Me

I was born and raised in a small town in Colorado. After college, I spent some time in the military which included a few trips overseas. After departing the military, I got certified as an EMT to “test the waters” of medicine, and decided it was a challenge/calling worth pursuing. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my lovely wife and insanely neurotic Weimaraner.

My medical school journey

The College of Medicine’s emphasis on practicing medicine in rural and underserved areas has been particularly formative for me. There are unique challenges to medicine in each of these areas, and during a four week rotation in Omak, I discovered the beauty of working as a physician in a rural setting; the breadth of pathology seen, the lasting relationships built with patients and the community, as well as the “figure it out” mentality are all very attractive.

Hopes & Aspirations

There is something positive to be said of practicing medicine in both academic and private practice settings. There are programs across the country which employ a hybrid model, using both options, which I find interesting and worth pursuit. Something that I took for granted during my third and fourth year at the College of Medicine was the community-based model of education, and lack of ‘competition’ from other students, residents and/or fellows. I was able to serve as first assist during the majority of cases I scrubbed into and developed great relationships with my attendings.

In the future as a practicing physician, I want to be part of a program/practice that follows WSU’s model, enabling students to truly get a taste of what procedural medicine is like, while allowing for teaching and education opportunities,” says Riesberg.