Trevor Anesi

Trevor as a medical student

Pronouns: He/Him

Trevor as a child

• What kind of identities do you inhabit?

  Samoan-American, Pacific Islander, Ally, First-Generation MD in the U.S.

• The path to medicine is not easy. Can you tell us why you decided to pursue it?

  I initially pursued a career in medicine because an uncle passed away as a result of complications from cardiomyopathy. Witnessing how helpless my family was and the power physicians have to bridge the gap in knowledge through communication, as well as their capacity to heal, all inspired my pursuit of a career in medicine. But, my interest was really solidified as I learned about the health disparities, particularly affecting Samoan-Americans. Recognizing these health inequities that I saw amongst my family, community, and other groups inspired me to continue down the path of medicine.

• Can you describe a challenging moment in medicine that made you rethink your career path?

  A moment in medicine that made me reconsider my career path was when I took care of a patient for a dental abscess and thought I had treated him well as he was nearing discharge. When I asked him if there was anything else I could do for him, he exclaimed, “Some stable housing would be nice!” His words left me speechless, but it was nothing compared to the helplessness he felt. With a background in public health and an interest in social determinants of health, at that moment I wondered if clinical practice was the right path for me. His story challenged me to find a way to integrate advancing health equity into my medical school curriculum. I enrolled in my school’s health equity graduate certificate, which allowed me to take seminars and do rotations specific to tailoring my medical education to health equity. I have a lot to learn about addressing health inequity through medicine, advocacy, and community partnerships, but I acknowledge I cannot do it alone. I think getting involved with RiR will connect me with others with a similar passion for addressing health inequities, such as those for the unhoused. That patient’s story challenges me every day and serves as a reminder of who we are training to treat and help.

• How do you see a career in PM&R as advancing equity? Or alternatively - why are you interested in this organization? Why equity and PM&R?

  PM&R’s emphasis on interdisciplinary care and what function means to our patients makes the field perfect for advancing equity, but I think striving for health equity requires addressing from multiple avenues. I wanted to be a part of RiR because it is a community dedicated to increasing access to PM&R opportunities and resources for those underrepresented in medicine. This helps recruit and retain students from marginalized groups, empowering them to thrive as they pursue careers in physiatry. That will help us diversify our physician workforce and help us advance equity. I am confident that the supportive, loving, and amazing people in RiR are committed to advancing equity in PM&R and beyond.

• Can you tell us a little bit of your aspirations - either for your career or for the field of medicine (if you’re a medical student?)

  I am interested in several subspecialties in PM&R, including traumatic brain injury, sports medicine, pain, and interventional spine, so I am excited for further exposure in residency. Otherwise, I hope to pursue a career in academia because I love learning from different levels of learners and would love to mentor and teach as many others as I can. I hope to continue clinical and medical education research focused on advancing health equity. Furthermore, I want to make collaborating with community stakeholders and leaders to inform research and clinical practice an integral part of my career.

• Find me on social media

  Twitter: @trevor_anesi

  Instagram: @trevis_310

Last updated 8/2023