Since his early high school days, Dr. Alex Guinn has found it edifying to work with those in need. Following his father into medicine, he found his passion in emergency medicine and is the recipient of this year’s Texas College Emergency Physicians Award. His next challenge is completing a residency in his specialty at UT Southwestern.

Dr. Alex Guinn

What this award means: “It reminds me that I have been the tremendous beneficiary of the many people who have supported me throughout this process, including my amazing wife and better half, my ever encouraging brother and parents, and the UT Southwestern Emergency Department, particularly Drs. Mary McHugh and Christine Kulstad, who repeatedly offered career path advice and helped me navigate the hurdles associated with pursuing a career in EM.”

Mentor comment: “Alex is a humble, hardworking student ​whose academic excellence is equaled by his work giving back to the community.” – Dr. Christine Kulstad, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Clerkship co-Director

Background and family: “I was born here in Dallas and lived the majority of my life in Frisco. My wife and I have actually known each other since middle school, but we did not become friends until late into undergraduate education. We finally started dating, deciding it was inevitable when we both ended up at UT Southwestern for medical school, and we were married in December 2018. My younger brother was my best man. My mom and dad still live in Frisco, and we see them regularly.”

What led to your career path: “Given that my father was a physician, hearing how he drew satisfaction in the intellectual challenge and how he believed he was making a difference daily in the lives of his patients, I knew with a fair amount of certainty upon graduating from high school that I would one day become a physician as well. I initially pursued pediatrics. However, I ended up enjoying every patient population I worked with, not just those under age 19, and felt I had to broaden myself a little. Therefore, since I happened to have quite a bit of exposure to the field of emergency medicine through the pediatric EM research that I had done, I made the easy decision that this was the best path for me.”

College: “I graduated summa cum laude from Baylor University in 2016 with a B.S. in biology.”

UTSW activities: “I have been involved as a class Senator, representing one-sixth of the 2020 student body and serving as a Colleges curriculum liaison to the UT Southwestern Medical School deans. I have also been involved with United to Serve, the Pre-OP Camp for incoming medical students, and the student-run Union Gospel Mission Calvert Smoking Cessation Clinic.”

Surprising fact: “I absolutely love board and card games. My brother and I spent many summers growing up playing games, and even into college we still played card games together and with friends. My wife and I carry on this tradition. Our living room ottoman is fully occupied with an ongoing game of The 7th Continent.”

Future plans: “I would like to pursue a career as a full-time emergency medicine physician working in a hospital setting. Down the road, I see myself becoming involved in education at the medical student level, and although it may be a bit ambitious at this stage, I feel as if I would be able to serve the medical community well as the Dean of a medical school.”

About the award: The award is presented to a medical student who demonstrates excellence in emergency medicine, with special dedication to Texans who need emergency care.