Dr. Stampp’s journey in medicine is one filled with resilience, determination and compassion. From a young age, Dr. Stampp fostered a spark to pursue medicine, inspired by the warmth and lifesaving care her uncle brought to her rural community in the Philippines. Despite lacking familial ties in the United States, she clung to a fervent dream of becoming a healer in America, driven by the allure of the American dream and a vision of a brighter future for herself and generations to come. From tender childhood moments of role-playing as a physician to sharing her career goals in secondary school, she detailed at every age how she intended to make this dream a reality. Dr. Stampp began her journey into medicine as a nursing student at the University of Santo Tomas in Manilla, Philippines, laying down the critical clinical foundation she would continue to grow from.
After graduating with honors from nursing school, she continued to grow in her medical knowledge by pursuing her medical degree at the University of the City of Manila College of Medicine. As a fourth year medical student, her dream began to feel even closer in reach as she was offered a nursing job at OSF Saint Francis in Peoria, Illinois. Eagerly, she jumped at the opportunity to start her career in the United States, quickly fulfilling her medical board exams and licensing requirements in the Philippines in order to move. However her beginnings in the United States brought a new set of challenges, which included balancing a full time job in the progressive care unit (PCU) as a registered nurse while pushing herself to study for the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2. Often working three consecutive twelve hour shifts during the week in order to provide herself the financial stability and time availability to continue pursuing her dream of becoming a licensed physician in the United States. Despite the challenges of moving alone to a new country, feelings of exhaustion from work, and the ongoing effort to develop fluency in English, her determination to become a physician never wavered. This determination motivated her to fulfill the requirements for international medical students to apply for residency within the two-year timeframe of her nursing job contract.
When the moment arrived to select a residency specialty, Dr. Stampp contemplated her initial inclination toward pursuing OB/GYN. However, she soon discovered that her passion for Family Medicine had eclipsed her initial interest. She acknowledged that Family Medicine offered her the chance to serve her community by advocating for patients’ health through education on crucial health topics. In her words, family medicine physicians are “the quarterbacks of people’s healthcare”, navigating a slew of different diagnoses, managing referrals and facilitating follow ups to ensure patients are well cared for. Her ability to develop lifelong meaningful relationships with patients to succeed in achieving their health goals is evident in the praise the local community has towards her. As a result many of her patients have encouraged family and friends to be seen under her care after having immense positive experiences that have led to successful health outcomes.
Dr. Stampp dreams of a future where family medicine physicians are valued and rewarded for their unwavering commitment to nurturing communities and preventing illness. Her heartfelt wish is that this recognition and support will ease the fears of medical students about the financial burdens of education and empower them to embrace the fulfilling path of family medicine alongside her. Her advice to aspiring family medicine physicians is to find your purpose, follow your passion, and that money is not the source of one’s happiness. Everyday, Dr. Stampp is reminded of her purpose through seeing her patients develop healthy habits under her guidance, reaffirming her decision to pursue family medicine. The outpouring of love from the community she has received from her services validates all the challenges she faced along her journey. Those challenges were essential and pivotal in developing her character and perception of the world.
As we reflect on the remarkable journey of Dr. Delilah Stampp, we are reminded that the pursuit of dreams knows no bounds. Through resilience, perseverance, and an unyielding belief in herself, she has not only realized her childhood aspirations but also continues to inspire others to reach for the stars. Dr. Delilah Stampp’s story stands as a testament to the transformative power of unwavering determination and the enduring pursuit of excellence.
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Faces of Family Medicine is a biopic project founded by Osteopathic Student Doctors, Anamaria Ancheta (OMS-I) and Marc James Thor Uy (OMS-II). Dedicated to uplifting the untold stories of the diverse workforce of family medicine, this biopic project strives to inspire the next generation of family medicine physicians.
If you are interested in sharing your story please reach out to them via email at familymedicinefaces@gmail.com.
About the Authors
Anamaria Ancheta is a first-year medical student at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from UC San Diego in 2021 and is passionate about increasing educational and mentorship opportunities for other Latinas through her involvement as a college mentor for MANA de San Diego and Vice President of the Burrell Latino Medical Student Association. As the daughter of two farmer workers turned military veterans she is dedicated to increasing access to healthcare services to those in rural and underserved communities as a future family medicine physician.
With her maternal family having resided in the Mesilla Valley of New Mexico for over 80 years she was greatly inspired to serve as a New Mexico AHEC scholar. Through which, she has been able to share about her research on investigating the underlying factors of high cesarean section rates and adolescent pregnancies amongst Latinas in the border region. As an osteopathic medical student she believes in the healing power of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) and serves as the president of the Burrell Student American Academy of Osteopathy Organization. In her free time, Anamaria enjoys capturing memories as a photographer.
Marc James Thor Uy, a New Mexico AHEC scholar, is deeply committed to making a meaningful impact in healthcare. He is a second-year osteopathic medical student at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, driven by a dedication to holistic wellness and community-centered care. With a master’s in public health nutrition from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor’s in microbiology from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Marc James has a diverse academic background that enriches his understanding of health from various perspectives.
Marc James’s professional expedition has mirrored this diversity, encompassing roles such as Medical Assistant and Research Project Coordinator, alongside his volunteer work within healthcare settings. He has had the privilege of contributing to research endeavors focused on elucidating and enhancing child nutrition and family health behaviors. Outside of studying, Marc James finds fulfillment in community service and music, being trained in classical Opera and Broadway styles. His aspiration is to practice full-spectrum Family Medicine, advocating for its importance in addressing diverse healthcare needs. Through his dedication, Marc James aims to advance Family Medicine as a cornerstone of healthcare.
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