‘Circle of life’ reunites PA student with her delivery doctor

November 12, 2019
Education

Lindsey Graff was delivered into the world 24 years ago after her mother experienced a high-risk pregnancy that included strict bedrest.

Marco Uribe, MD, an obstetrician in Austin, made sure Lindsey Graff’s birth was successful.

“He was determined to ensure Lindsey would make it into the world,” said Tracey Graff, Lindsey’s mother.

Now, years later, Dr. Uribe helped guide Lindsey Graff’s training as a physician assistant student at the UNT Health Science Center Physician Assistant Studies Program. He was Graff’s OBGYN preceptor for about four weeks this fall.

“It was really cool seeing it come full circle,” Graff said. “He delivered some of my friends and other family members.”

Graff spent October in Austin working with Dr. Uribe and his physician assistant, Amy Grove King. As part of the rotation, Graff interviewed and examined patients.

The clinic felt familiar. The baby pictures and announcements on the walls included her brother.

“I think it’s the circle of life,” said Dr. Jeffrey Mott, director of clinical education for the School of Health Professions. “He delivered her, and now she is going to be a physician assistant.”

Tracey Graff said she is grateful her daughter trained with Dr. Uribe.

“He is an extremely special man to my family and delivered all three of my children, while helping me through some challenging health issues,” she said.

Graff, who majored in biology at The University of Texas at Austin as an undergraduate, explored different health professions before deciding to become a physician assistant.

“I like interacting with people and working with people,” she said. “I shadowed different health professions – doctors, physical therapists, PAs – and when I shadowed a few PAs, it seemed to match up best with what I wanted.”

The UNTHSC Physician Assistant Studies program links students with professionals for rotations, including students who share connections with medical professionals, Graff said. She asked for a rotation under Dr. Uribe’s guidance.

“I just know Dr. Uribe put in a lot of work to get me here because I was a few weeks premature,” Graff said. “He brought me into this world, and all these years later, I have an interest in doing something similar to what he has done. It was cool to get to learn from the person who made it happen for me.”

Dr. Uribe, who has delivered about 10,000 babies in 30 years of practice, said he felt pride and joy to be able to work with Graff. He said he saw her evolve and grow professionally during the rotation.

“It was a total pleasure,” he said. “It was a privilege and a gift.”

Graff said she learned about various procedures and surgeries in gynecology. She also saw fertility and post-menopausal patients.

Graff said she was able to observe Dr. Uribe perform caesarian sections. She was touched by the notion of helping deliver babies into the world.

“It’s unbelievable,” she said. “It surprised me how fast it happens once everything is going.”

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