Dr. Haley Musgrave

With her undergraduate degree in psychology from Washington University in St. Louis, Dr. Haley Musgrave initially planned a career in that field, but switched gears, deciding to pursue medicine. Her change of heart was reinforced as she worked as a health unit coordinator in the Emergency Department at Children’s Medical Center Dallas.

During that time, two years before entering UT Southwestern Medical School, she fell in love with emergency medicine. She was stimulated by the fast pace and variety, as well as the hands-on procedures, critical thinking, and – of course – the patients and her team members.

“I always felt energized and humbled after a shift in the ED and never felt quite the same level of excitement or satisfaction during my other clinical rotations,” she said. “I always looked forward to what each shift might bring that day or night.”

Dr. Musgrave is the 2018 recipient of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Award, which is given annually to a senior medical student for demonstrating an intense commitment to emergency medicine.

“I’m humbled and very honored,” she said of the SAEM recognition. “It was a very pleasant surprise!”

Dr. Mary McHugh, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and Co-Clerkship Director in the Department of Emergency Medicine, said that Dr. Musgrave has worked hard to embody the traits of an SAEM winner.

“She has presented research on sexually transmitted diseases in the pediatric emergency department as well as managed and directed a fourth-year elective at the Union Gospel Mission clinic,” Dr. McHugh said, adding that Dr. Musgrave has also volunteered at numerous events, such as the Texas Two Step CPR training and the United to Serve community health fair.

“Haley represented her class – and was later an officer – in our Emergency Medicine Interest Group,” Dr. McHugh continued. “We are very fortunate that she chose to continue her residency training here at UT Southwestern. We feel that her potential as a future EM leader will be maximized with the opportunities with our faculty.”

During her job at Children’s, she also began volunteering to serve the homeless population of Dallas. “That became a passion that I maintained through medical school and to this day,” said Dr. Musgrave, who at one point served as Clinic Manager at the Union Gospel Mission.

Two years before she began her studies at UT Southwestern, she followed her boyfriend to Dallas. They married after her first year as a medical student and his graduation – also from the Medical School.

So on June 30 – the day before Dr. Haley Musgrave begins her EM residency at UT Southwestern – Dr. Will Musgrave will complete his.

Along with Dr. McHugh and Dr. Jeffrey Van Dermark, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, she counts her husband as a mentor and source of support.

“My husband has provided unwavering support and personal wisdom gained through his own experiences as a former med student and current resident,” she said. “It’s certainly a unique opportunity to be following in his steps and learning from him as he paves the way just a few years ahead of me!”

The couple live in Dallas with their dog, Penny.

Dr. Musgrave, who is originally from St. Louis, Missouri, has been water skiing since she was 4 years old and is a former high school varsity field hockey and lacrosse player.

“I am not entirely sure what the future holds or what my career will look like exactly,” Dr. Musgrave said, “but I hope to continue to explore my interests in medical education, mentoring, and working with underserved patient populations.”