Rebekah Betar, DO
Internal Medicine Resident PGY2
MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City, IA
Which residency or fellowship program are you currently in?
Internal Medicine Residency: MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City, Iowa.
Why did you choose internal medicine? If you’re in fellowship, why did you choose that subspecialty?
I chose internal medicine for its depth and versatility. I have always been drawn to the intellectual challenge of diagnostic reasoning and appreciate the opportunity to collaborate across disciplines. This field not only allows me to manage complex medical conditions but also enables me to build meaningful, lasting relationships with patients while fostering continual growth and learning.
What lesson(s) did you learn in residency or fellowship that will help you for the rest of your career?
Residency has taught me that good medical decision-making goes beyond precision and efficiency. The best choices often come from curiosity, adaptability, and collaboration with the team. I’ve learned the importance of staying humble, embracing uncertainty, and committing to lifelong learning. These lessons have shaped not only the way I approach patient care but also how I navigate challenges outside of medicine.
What are your plans for after residency or fellowship? What factors or advice from mentors contributed to your decision?
One of the most impactful pieces of advice I’ve received is, “Pick the mentor, not the project.” A different mentor later rephrased this in the context of seeing an attending and thinking, “I want to be like them.” Finding a mentor I genuinely want to emulate has shaped me both professionally and personally, driving a continual pursuit of growth and feedback. Depending on my husband’s work contract, I am considering an infectious disease fellowship, given my affinity for microbiology and my passion for delving into literature to guide clinical decision-making. Alternatively, I plan to pursue a hospitalist career with a focus on antimicrobial stewardship and resident education where I can make a meaningful impact on both patients and the next generation of clinicians.
How has being a member of ACP helped you in your professional life? What resources have been most helpful to you?
The ACP online resources MKSAP as well as DynaMed have helped me tremendously for board preparation and lecture presentation, respectively. Additionally, the ACP meetings and conferences have allowed me to develop a professional network and meaningful relationships within the community.