Class of 2009
Jimmy Kielek
Doctor Lacrosse in the House
Washington College's national-caliber lacrosse program appealed to Jimmy Kielek '09. The modern science facilities and the intimate learning community cinched the deal.
Kielek, a premedical student majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry is an attackman on the men's lacrosse team; the Dean's List student also serves as a Student-Athlete Mentor (SAM) for his teammates.
"I've always known that I wanted to do medicine," he says, "but I wanted to go to a school where I could play lacrosse."
A graduate of Baltimore's Archbishop Curley High where he played soccer and lacrosse, Jimmy enjoys the camaraderie of Shoremen lacrosse.
"The guys I'm playing with are my best friends here, and there's a really strong bond between the current lacrosse program and the alumni," he says.
WC also helped promote the sport abroad when it sent 10 players and Coach J.B. Clarke to Europe as part of the "A-Team" representing the United States in the 2007 Prague Cup. The "A-Team" captured the cup, and Kielek scored the game-winning goal in the team's semi-final victory.
But for Jimmy, the win was just part of the experience.
"Playing in Europe was awesome. We were able to see the sights, and we had the opportunity to play lacrosse," he remembers.
"It was great just to see the difference between lacrosse here and lacrosse over there, and the influence and expansion of the game in Europe," Jimmy said.
His interest in lacrosse is a driving force behind his plans to enter the field of orthopedic medicine. Though Jimmy always planned on a medical career—both his parents work in the profession—he decided to focus on something that would help other athletes like himself.
"Growing up playing sports, I learned a lot about the physical motions of the body so I have a better understanding of orthopedics," he says.
"In high school, a friend on my soccer team had ACL surgery, and this year a teammate underwent shoulder surgery," Jimmy explains. "I would love to work with athletes and help them return to normal levels of play as quickly as possible."
Jimmy is getting his first taste of orthopedic surgery in an internship with a local surgeon. He is shadowing Dr. Frederick Lohr during surgeries and office visits.
"It's been a good experience," he says. "I've seen a ton of different injuries. I can see how my coursework applies to what I see in the surgeries."
Jimmy plans to attend medical school to become a physician or enter a Physician Assistant program.
"With orthopedics, there's the medical aspect of surgery and rehabilitation, so I'd be involved with both sides," he said.
Whatever path he follows, Jimmy will be a team player. "I see myself using the skills I developed on the lacrosse team in college—teamwork and discipline—to help me in my career."