Mariah Hydzik ’19 Practices Rural Family Medicine in Boone
Tell me about your current role.
I am a physician at AppFamily Medicine/Watauga Medical Center, completing my residency in rural family medicine. As a family physician, I provide holistic and comprehensive healthcare for patients of all gender identities and ages. My personal clinical interests include reproductive mental health, addiction medicine, and adolescent medicine. I am passionate about improving psychiatric healthcare access in rural areas through primary care and community collaboration. I have truly been enjoying getting to know my patients thus far and I feel honored to be back in Boone.
What did you study while at App State?
Exercise Science (Pre-health professional concentration)
What advice would you give a current Wataugan?
Don’t be afraid of what you do not know and opportunities that are uncomfortable (within reason). Be mindful to be present in every interaction with everyone you meet on and off campus. Following your passion will lead you to your profession. Go outside as much as you can and do NOT take these mountains for granted.
How did Watauga help you grow?
Watauga Residential College as a whole challenged me to explore my interests critically and creatively. Watauga’s supportive faculty, thought-provoking curriculum, and spirit of curiosity encouraged me to embrace my own curiosity and inspired my pursuit of medicine. Watauga strengthened my affinity for “thinking outside of the box”, taught me to do so effectively, and I continue to apply this philosophy to my career. This perspective has continuously led me to many unique and exciting opportunities in medicine to express my creativity and advocate for community causes. Very importantly, the humans I met and lived with in the LLC encouraged me to be myself. Interpersonal collaboration continues to teach me about the world that my patients and I live in.