Member of the Month: Micah Nishigaki, MD

Micah Nishigaki, MD, has spent the majority of her young medical career at UT Southwestern, having completed both medical school and residency there, then joining the faculty. Still in the first seven years of her family medicine career, Nishigaki has discovered that she enjoys working in outpatient and inpatient settings, as well as teaching. She is currently doing the Climate and Health Equity Fellowship with the Medical Society and Consortium on Climate and Health, where she is learning about advocacy solutions to address the effects of climate on health.

Who or what inspired you to become a family physician?
I did my family medicine rotation in the middle of my MS3 year, and fell in love with it. I felt like I was with my people and I got to have a variety of visit types, which was intellectually stimulating to me. I had liked every rotation before and after my family medicine rotation, which solidified that family medicine would be the best fit for me, since I get to do a bit of everything.

You were an active student member not that long ago - what would you tell other students interested in family medicine about the significance of being active in TAFP during the student years?
Take advantage of all the opportunities! For example, I participated in the preceptorship summer program. It was fun to experience the daily life of a family medicine physician and the fruits of longtime relationships with patients. In retrospect, that was my first inkling that family medicine was for me, though I didn't know it at the time (haha).

What surprised you most about family medicine?
I always have fun learning about the different paths family medicine physicians take. There are a variety of niches or non-traditional roads that we can end up on. It makes this journey fun. You truly don't know where you will end up next, or with whom!

What do you enjoy doing outside of medicine?
Indoor rock climbing, reading, and playing video games are my main hobbies. I enjoy playing (and losing) at board games. If you ever need someone for a board game night, I'm ready to learn and play! Additionally, I'm involved in some community groups that align with my values, bring me joy, and contribute to my community in whatever way I can.

TAFP’s Member of the Month program highlights Texas family physicians in TAFP News Now and on the TAFP website. We feature a biography and a Q&A with a different TAFP member each month and his or her unique approach to family medicine. If you know an outstanding family physician colleague who you think should be featured as a Member of the Month or if you’d like to tell your own story, nominate yourself or your colleague by contacting TAFP by email at tafp@tafp.org or by phone at (512) 329-8666.