Doctor likes learning new things daily

William Meyer, MD, a hospitalist at IU Health Arnett Hospital, had a series of realizations and decisions that led him to where he is today.

Initially, he set out to become a biomedical engineer. However, after a year of college, he realized that the research-focused nature of the field was not for him.

“Math and science have always come easy to me, and I wanted to do something where I could take care of people or help people,” he says. This led him to switch to a pre-med route and eventually to medicine.

Growing up about 30 miles northwest of Chicago, Meyer went on to complete his medical school and residency at Loyola University Chicago. It was during his residency that he met his future wife, who was also a resident. Her job in Rensselaer brought him to the area, and despite initial plans to move back to Chicago, they decided to stay due to the supportive community and the fulfilling work environment he found at IU Health Arnett Hospital.

Meyer speaks highly of the team at Arnett Hospital, including the leadership, physicians, nurses and respiratory therapists.

“The culture and the people I work with are the primary reasons I chose to stay,” he says. His wife, also a doctor, works for IU Health as a primary care physician in West Lafayette. Together, they have settled down in the area, bought a house and started a family.

Life as a doctor

For Doctors’ Day, Meyer discusses what he enjoys the most about his career in medicine. He has always been drawn to the critical thinking and problem-solving aspects of internal medicine. He has also taken on a leadership role to ensure that physicians and advanced practice providers have the best opportunities to care for their patients.

“I like a little bit of everything,” he says. “I like learning something new every day.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he worked both day and night shifts, caring for very sick patients and witnessing their recovery, which he found incredibly rewarding.

Meyer acknowledges the negativity that sometimes surrounds the medical profession today. However, he emphasizes that if one pursues medicine for the right reasons, it can be a highly fulfilling career.

"If you're doing it for the right reasons, and you pursue something that you truly enjoy and are interested in, you’ll still love what I do every day," he says.

His passion for his work and his desire to provide the best care for patients are what drive him every day.