Heart Behind the White Coat: Dr. Marilyn Bibbs Freeman
Dr. Marilyn Bibbs Freeman is Deputy Director at the Virginia Department of General Services Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS). DCLS performs clinical, environmental, and food testing for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Dr. Freeman earned her PhD from Walden University in public health with a concentration in epidemiology. In Heart Behind the White Coat (HBWC) programs, DHH features healthcare professionals to learn the sparks that motivate HCPs to explore careers in medicine and how their passion endures.
In this HBWC program, Dr. Freeman explains what initially inspired her interest in medicine. Dr. Freeman shares what continues to drive her passion in public health and patient advocacy and her advice to students aspiring to become healthcare professionals.
How did you become interested in a career in medicine?
My original desire was to become a physician. After learning that I have a physical reaction to people in pain, I needed to figure out next steps during my senior year in college. My initial deliberations were around the things that I liked. I enjoy working with my hands and figuring out puzzles. I enjoy listening to and creating music. Then I sought to link those likes to my education in some way. I like microbiology. That landed me at what can I do where I figure out puzzles, work with my hands, and can involve microbiology – LABORATORY SCIENCE. So, I signed up for a graduate level program in clinical laboratory science and haven’t looked back. Pathogens are sneaky, insidious, dangerous and for me...fun. I love learning classical techniques and new tools to push the profession forward! Later in my career, I obtained my doctorate in public health. This spoke to my desire to help people, to address disparities, and to promote equity. So now, I not only serve as the Deputy Director of a laboratory that does clinical science, but also environmental science and food science in a public health space to promote the health of ALL people in a more equitable way.
What drives your passion to continue your work in the medical field?
I am driven by the fact that no matter what we accomplish, there is still so much more to be done. Poor health and inequities persist. I enjoy using my mind and skillset to support solutions to these problems. Every person has the right to good health, and I want to contribute to them obtaining it.
What advice do you have for others considering a career in the medical field?
Being a doctor is not the only way to contribute to the field of medicine. Take the time to intentionally look at all of the careers that may interest you. For example, if spending eight years in school is not attractive to you, then being a physician may not be the right direction. The field is expansive, and there is room for everyone!
What’s a fun fact about yourself that you’d like to share?
I grew up in a musical family. I sing, play a little violin (used to be a lot of violin), and some piano! I enjoy all genres and all textures of music.
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