When Your Name Fits Your Career Perfectly
At Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences, our alumni often make a significant mark on the world of medicine. Sometimes, their names say it all.
In a delightful twist of fate, some of our alumni and students have names so fitting for their roles that you might think they were planned. Whether they’re easing pain, delivering treatment or just bringing good energy into the exam room, these DMU pros were seemingly named for the job.
Paging Dr. Medic
Daniel Medic Jr., D.O.’84, was practically destined for medicine. Or at least it seemed that way growing up on the family farm in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. His uncle, also a physician, was once featured in Reader’s Digest in the 1960s for having one of the most unusual and fitting names in the profession.
“My uncle was the only ‘Dr. Medic’ in the country. Perhaps this influenced me at a young age,” he shares.
After earning his medical degree from DMU, Medic returned to his hometown to practice medicine, where his father and another uncle operated Medic Farm. For the next 30 years, he served the community that raised him. Now retired, he’s spending his time restoring the original log cabin on his family’s Century Farm and reflecting on a career shaped by deep roots and a memorable name.
“My first patients would ask if I was related to Medic Farm,” Medic says. “My dad and uncle ran it together, out of 10 siblings, and it was known for producing the best sweet corn and vegetables in the entire area.”
He credits his dad with being his town crier. “He told everyone, ‘Go see my son if you need a doctor.’” A lot of them did.
Medic says his name always brought a little levity to the exam room. “My last name has been the source of humor with my patients,” he says, adding that it helped make his medical interactions memorable and light-hearted.
The Real Payne Relief
Ryan Payne, D.P.M.’11, who practices in Fruita, Colorado, acknowledges that his name is particularly memorable for patients, especially when procedures or surgeries are involved. “Patients often can’t believe they are being treated by a Dr. Payne,” he shares.
He leans into the irony with this health care motto: “No Payne, No Gain,” a playful nod to his name and the reality that some treatments, while not always comfortable, are essential.
The Sweetest Name in the ER
Matthew Treat, M.S.P.A.S.’12, is a physician assistant specializing in emergency medicine in southeastern Wisconsin. Patients often mishear his name as “Tree.”
His cheerful correction: “Treat, just like candy.” This simple clarification almost always gets a laugh.
“We treat you right” is his chosen slogan to reflect the genuine care and correct treatment he strives to provide.
Meet the Future Dr. Doctors
Nicholas Doctors, D.O.’26, finds his surname to be a fun icebreaker with patients and colleagues.
“I couldn’t think of a better last name for going into the medical field,” he says.
He’s the first in his family to pursue a medical career, and his last name has certainly made the journey more enjoyable by starting his patient interactions with a smile. “I love when patients realize my last name because it often starts our student-doctor/ patient relationship with a smile and a joke or two. Interestingly, I rotated with a fourth-year surgery resident, Dr. Dockter, and we immediately clicked because of our names,” he adds.
Health care is serious business — but sometimes the right name can be just what the doctor ordered. These alumni prove that a good name never hurts. Speaking of which, see our story “Good for Faculty. Good for Students. Good for the World.”