This was successfully posted to your pofile.
This box will close automatically in a few seconds. Close this window
We don't have an e-mail address on file for you. To use AAFP Connection, you must have an e-mail address in our records. Click Here
Profile of a Rural FP: Christian Cupp, MD
Christian, Christine, Chaseton, Colton & Connor Cupp
Name: Christian Cupp (Scott City, KS)
Clinic: Scott City Clinic, P.A.
Years an FP: Six
Years a Rural FP: Six
HPSA-designated Community? Yes
Critical Access Designated Hospital? Yes, Scott County Hospital
Staff Note: Dr. Cupp has agreed to share his contact information with readers who may wish to reach him: ccupp@hotmail.com
What prompted you to become a rural family physician?
I was prompted to become a rural family physician based on my experience with several physicians during my childhood, and later medical school. I currently practice in my home-town, and was obviously influenced by the physicians who cared for me during my youth. These physicians were the pillars of the community, helping as team physicians for sporting events, along with their involvement on school and church boards. They handled their responsibilities with grace and dignity, which impresses me even more today as I attempt to fill their shoes. I was also a recipient of the Kansas Medical Student Loan Program, which allowed me the ability to return to a rural setting, and receive loan repayment for years of service provided.
The biggest influence in my decision to practice as a rural physician would be Dr. Robert Moser of Tribune, Kansas. Bob was a mentor to me throughout medical school and residency, and I later joined him for a year of practice in Tribune. Bob is the epitomy of a rural physician; a quiet confidence, cool under pressure no matter the situation. He is also a home-town boy, and I learned at his feet how to handle the stresses (both good and bad), which go along with caring for friends and family.
I was prompted to become a rural family physician based on my experience with several physicians during my childhood, and later medical school. I currently practice in my home-town, and was obviously influenced by the physicians who cared for me during my youth. These physicians were the pillars of the community, helping as team physicians for sporting events, along with their involvement on school and church boards. They handled their responsibilities with grace and dignity, which impresses me even more today as I attempt to fill their shoes. I was also a recipient of the Kansas Medical Student Loan Program, which allowed me the ability to return to a rural setting, and receive loan repayment for years of service provided.
The biggest influence in my decision to practice as a rural physician would be Dr. Robert Moser of Tribune, Kansas. Bob was a mentor to me throughout medical school and residency, and I later joined him for a year of practice in Tribune. Bob is the epitomy of a rural physician; a quiet confidence, cool under pressure no matter the situation. He is also a home-town boy, and I learned at his feet how to handle the stresses (both good and bad), which go along with caring for friends and family.
Lake Scott
Community
Scott City, Kansas is located in western Kansas just 62 miles from the Colorado border. It lies at the intersection of US Hwy. 83 and KS Hwy. 96. Scott County's land area is made up of a wide variety of terrain including flat prairies, rich crop land, hills, chalk, bluffs, and river beds. Scott City is the county seat of Scott County, and has a population of 3800. The major industry is definitely agriculture, including farming and ranching. The community has remained progressive, supporting building projects within the last few years for a new Law Enforcement Center, and the preservation and restoration of Scott Community High School. The community is filled with honest, hard-working individuals, who are a joy to care for in our clinic. The jewel of the community is Scott Lake, located 10 miles north of town, which offers fishing, boating and hiking.
Scott City, Kansas is located in western Kansas just 62 miles from the Colorado border. It lies at the intersection of US Hwy. 83 and KS Hwy. 96. Scott County's land area is made up of a wide variety of terrain including flat prairies, rich crop land, hills, chalk, bluffs, and river beds. Scott City is the county seat of Scott County, and has a population of 3800. The major industry is definitely agriculture, including farming and ranching. The community has remained progressive, supporting building projects within the last few years for a new Law Enforcement Center, and the preservation and restoration of Scott Community High School. The community is filled with honest, hard-working individuals, who are a joy to care for in our clinic. The jewel of the community is Scott Lake, located 10 miles north of town, which offers fishing, boating and hiking.
Scott County Hospital
Clinic
The current clinic was built approximately 10 years ago, and it was at that time that the hospital purchased the practice. The practice was established in the 1950's, and has provided full-spectrum Family Medicine care to our community. Scope of care encompasses everything from the "cradle to the grave." We provide obstetrics care including c-section deliveries, minor surgies, endoscopy, and full-time Emergency Room coverage. The clinic is attached to a 25 bed criticial-access hospital, which is staffed by myself, and the other two Family Physicians in our community.
The current clinic was built approximately 10 years ago, and it was at that time that the hospital purchased the practice. The practice was established in the 1950's, and has provided full-spectrum Family Medicine care to our community. Scope of care encompasses everything from the "cradle to the grave." We provide obstetrics care including c-section deliveries, minor surgies, endoscopy, and full-time Emergency Room coverage. The clinic is attached to a 25 bed criticial-access hospital, which is staffed by myself, and the other two Family Physicians in our community.
Typical Day
My day begins at 6:30, as I enter my office and catch up on the dictation and paperwork from the day before. I begin seeing patients at the hospital at 7:30, and return to the clinic at around 8:30, where I answer messages, and prepare for clinic, which begins at 9:00. We have a lunch break at noon, and the day begins again at 1:30, with clinic ending around 5:30. I then return to the hospital to round, and head home at around 6:00 pm. I am on call 1 in every 3 days, but back up a mid-level on many calls. They will see the minor emergencies, and my energy can be focused on the traumas and cardiac cases which enter our ER. Interspersed throughout the day are emergency room visits, obstetrics cases and phone calls to and from specialists. I do not work Thursday afternoons, which allows me to catch up on reading, and family time.
My day begins at 6:30, as I enter my office and catch up on the dictation and paperwork from the day before. I begin seeing patients at the hospital at 7:30, and return to the clinic at around 8:30, where I answer messages, and prepare for clinic, which begins at 9:00. We have a lunch break at noon, and the day begins again at 1:30, with clinic ending around 5:30. I then return to the hospital to round, and head home at around 6:00 pm. I am on call 1 in every 3 days, but back up a mid-level on many calls. They will see the minor emergencies, and my energy can be focused on the traumas and cardiac cases which enter our ER. Interspersed throughout the day are emergency room visits, obstetrics cases and phone calls to and from specialists. I do not work Thursday afternoons, which allows me to catch up on reading, and family time.
Challenges
The greatest challenge for me as a rural family physician has been caring for my direct and extended family. Soon after arriving in Scott City, my wife developed pre-ecclampsia secondary to a molar pregnancy. As the only physician in town over the weekend, I admitted her to the hospital, and lined up her air transport to Wichita, Kansas, and left with her on the plane the moment my partner returned to Scott City. I have diagnosed an uncle with Guillen-Barre syndrome, and even cared for my ailing grandfather, finally acting as coroner when he passed away at his home. These have been the most challenging times in my practice, because I could not leave these situations at the door when I walked out of the clinic that day. The silver lining in this, is that I have a relationship with my family that is above and beyond what it once was; I'm not just a husband or cousin, but their care-giver as well. My relationship with my wife grew stronger during her health issues, as it has with my other relatives as I cared for them.
The greatest challenge for me as a rural family physician has been caring for my direct and extended family. Soon after arriving in Scott City, my wife developed pre-ecclampsia secondary to a molar pregnancy. As the only physician in town over the weekend, I admitted her to the hospital, and lined up her air transport to Wichita, Kansas, and left with her on the plane the moment my partner returned to Scott City. I have diagnosed an uncle with Guillen-Barre syndrome, and even cared for my ailing grandfather, finally acting as coroner when he passed away at his home. These have been the most challenging times in my practice, because I could not leave these situations at the door when I walked out of the clinic that day. The silver lining in this, is that I have a relationship with my family that is above and beyond what it once was; I'm not just a husband or cousin, but their care-giver as well. My relationship with my wife grew stronger during her health issues, as it has with my other relatives as I cared for them.
Scott Lake State Park
Rewards
I get to live and work in a wonderful community, providing health care to friends and family. This job has given me the opportunity to be present during the miracle of birth, and has also allowed me to hold the hand of a patient as they take their last breath. No other field of medicine will allow you to have such a large impact on the lives of so many individuals. Practicing in a rural setting allows one to practice Family Medicine in it's purest form, and I thank God every day I was allowed to hang my shingle in my hometown.
I get to live and work in a wonderful community, providing health care to friends and family. This job has given me the opportunity to be present during the miracle of birth, and has also allowed me to hold the hand of a patient as they take their last breath. No other field of medicine will allow you to have such a large impact on the lives of so many individuals. Practicing in a rural setting allows one to practice Family Medicine in it's purest form, and I thank God every day I was allowed to hang my shingle in my hometown.
Advice
I would encourage anyone interested in practicing in a rural setting, to spend as much time as possible shadowing a rural Family Physician. There is no way to describe the interesting and challenging cases that come my way on a daily basis. Students should also discuss with their medical school if there are any programs encouraging rural practice, like the Kansas Medical Student Loan Program, and the Kansas Bridging Plan. My last piece of advice, would be to not rule out rural practice until you have had the opportunity to experience it during your medical school training.
I would encourage anyone interested in practicing in a rural setting, to spend as much time as possible shadowing a rural Family Physician. There is no way to describe the interesting and challenging cases that come my way on a daily basis. Students should also discuss with their medical school if there are any programs encouraging rural practice, like the Kansas Medical Student Loan Program, and the Kansas Bridging Plan. My last piece of advice, would be to not rule out rural practice until you have had the opportunity to experience it during your medical school training.
More Rural FP Profiles