From Paramedic to Family Medicine Obstetrician: Dr. Heather Dill
Dr. Heather Dill’s journey from paramedic to family medicine obstetrician is a powerful testament to her dedication to frontline care and community health. Starting her career responding to emergencies as a paramedic, she quickly developed a passion for comprehensive, long-term patient care that led her to complete medical school and specialize in family medicine obstetrics. Now, as she prepares to open her very own Family Medicine Obstetrics (FM OB) practice, Dr. Dill, who’s also a mother of eight, shares her inspirational story and offers valuable advice for those considering a career change into medicine while still prioritizing family and faith.
1. What was your professional background before pursuing medicine, and how long were you in it before switching?
I began my career as a first responder in 2001 and advanced to the role of paramedic, a position I held until 2018. That year, I was accepted into Trinity, marking the transition from 17 years in emergency services to pursuing a career in medicine.
2. When and what led you to switch careers and pursue medicine?
I’ve actually always wanted to be a physician. When I was 10, I witnessed my baby brother’s birth, and they stamped his tiny footprints on a shirt I was wearing that said 'Future OB Nurse,' which I still have today. Something about that moment sparked a deep fascination in me.
Shortly after, I entered foster care, and one of my foster moms was a huge fan of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. Watching that show was incredibly inspiring. Dr. Quinn did it all; she delivered babies, treated traumas, performed surgeries, and she did it as the only doctor in a rugged, new town in Colorado. At a time when women weren’t even expected to become doctors, she earned the respect of her entire community through determination and skill. I remember thinking, 'I want to be just like her.'
But life took a different turn for a while. I got married at 18 and had my first child at 20. At that point, we decided I would continue working in EMS, with the goal of going to medical school once our youngest child started school full-time. When that time came, our youngest wasn’t quite three, and we made the leap and moved to St. Vincent. It wasn’t exactly as planned, but it all worked out.
3. Looking back, what are some things you wish you had known back then to make the switch sooner?
My path into medicine was a true second career, and in many ways, that made my journey unique. For those of us who are older, have families, or have already built careers, it’s important to remember that there’s no deadline on education. Passion doesn’t come with an expiration date, and no one should let fear, whether of starting over or starting from the bottom, hold them back.
When I decided to pursue medicine, I was a paramedic supervisor. I had worked my way to the top in that field, and stepping away to start over was intimidating. But I believed deeply in what I was doing. And if you're truly passionate about something, it’s worth the leap.
Having a prior career really helped me. While not everyone needs that experience, it gave me the structure, discipline, and perspective I needed. I knew how to manage my time, how to prioritize, and how to focus. My study routine was built around my family life. I’d go to campus at 5 a.m. and stay until 5 p.m., and when I got home, I was just Mom. From 5 p.m. until bedtime, my focus was on my kids. After they were asleep, my incredibly supportive husband would sit beside me while I studied, offering that quiet presence that meant everything during such a demanding time.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. The challenges of balancing school and family made me more efficient, more focused, and more grounded. That life experience didn’t just prepare me for the academic side of medicine; it prepared me to manage the pressure, keep perspective, and stay connected to what really matters.
4. How was the transition from your previous career to becoming a med student?
There was definitely a transition. I went from being at the top of my field to starting over at the very bottom, and that shift wasn’t easy. I had been teaching part-time in a university paramedic program, so moving from the role of instructor to student was actually one of the more challenging aspects for me. It required a significant mindset adjustment.
What helped most was entering this new phase with humility. I had to remind myself: Yes, I had experience, but I hadn’t done this before. I wasn’t a medical student yet, and certainly not a physician. I think maintaining that perspective is essential. I’ve seen others struggle because they carried a sense of entitlement. They felt they deserved more because of their previous experience. But in medicine, we all start from the same place. None of us walks in knowing how to be doctors. The most valuable thing you can bring is a willingness to listen and learn.
There were definitely moments when I struggled, and others performed better than I did, and that was hard for me. I had always been at the top of my class, so it was a humbling experience. But I had to remind myself: I have a family. I’m not going to be able to study for 14 hours straight before an exam. And that’s okay.
Instead, I focused on consistent, bite-sized studying, squeezing in time when I could. It wasn’t always ideal, but it helped me retain information better. That approach evolved into a form of lifelong learning. I wasn’t cramming; I was integrating knowledge over time. And in the long run, I think that’s a more sustainable and meaningful way to grow.
5. Was Trinity a good choice to make that career switch?
Yes, if I had to do it all over again, I would absolutely still choose Trinity. What stood out to me most was the sense of community and how much the faculty genuinely cared, not just about our academic success, but about us as whole people. The staff was incredibly attentive. I built meaningful relationships with many of them, and I’m still connected with several on Facebook. It truly felt like a family.
Whenever life became overwhelming or personal challenges came up, I never hesitated to speak with a professor. Their doors were always open, and they offered support without hesitation, not just to me, but to anyone who asked. That level of compassion was consistent and authentic.
Even now, as I teach AHA courses like BLS, ACLS, and PALS to Trinity students in Warner Robins, I still hear the same feedback: the faculty is supportive, approachable, and deeply invested in their students' success. You’re never just a number at Trinity. The smaller class sizes, which I initially worried might reflect a lesser quality program, actually turned out to be one of the school’s greatest strengths. The environment allowed for more one-on-one instruction, real mentorship, and a true open-door culture.
What really set Trinity apart was its collaborative atmosphere. There wasn’t a competitive hierarchy among students. Instead, there was camaraderie. In my cohort, we were a group of fellow paramedics, and we supported one another. We shared notes, studied together, and celebrated each other’s wins. No one was trying to outshine anyone else. It wasn’t about status; it was about helping everyone succeed. At Trinity, it just felt good to be there. It felt like home.
6. Where did you match, and what are you doing now?
I matched into Family Medicine at Northside Hospital Gwinnett, just outside of Atlanta, Georgia. Initially, I thought I would pursue OBGYN or even Emergency Medicine, given my background as a paramedic. I spent years handling urgent situations, stabilizing patients, and then handing them off to the hospital. But I always wondered—what happened to them after that? Did they recover? Did their lives improve? That curiosity and desire to be part of the entire journey pushed me toward a specialty with more continuity of care.
At first, I seriously considered OBGYN. As a paramedic, I’d delivered 13 babies in the back of an ambulance, so I had real-world experience. But during my clinical rotations in OB, I found myself wanting to care for the baby too, not just the mother. When I mentioned this, I was told, “Focus on the mom.” That led me to speak with one of the OBs, who introduced me to Family Medicine with Obstetrics.
There aren’t many FM OB programs across the country, but some programs offer tracks or areas of concentration. Thankfully, Northside’s program had a strong OB focus. Through it, I was able to complete all of my required vaginal deliveries and meet the minimum primary surgeon requirements for C-sections. That additional training qualified me not just in Family Medicine Obstetrics, but with surgical recognition, meaning I’m certified to perform C-sections and tubal ligations independently.
That’s what I do now. I work out of state for two weeks each month as a Family Medicine Obstetrician with surgical privileges, handling deliveries, C-sections, and more. Right now, I’m managing a twin pregnancy, which is exciting. In the remaining time, I’ve been developing my own practice: Averra Medical Group. Once my out-of-state contract is complete, my goal is to open my own practice here in Georgia. But before that, I want to ensure I have plenty of surgical experience under my belt.
It hasn’t been easy. Most physicians go through a fellowship after residency to gain this level of OB training. But with a family to support, I couldn’t afford to live on a resident's salary any longer. So instead, I put in a lot of extra hours, especially in labor and delivery, to get the numbers and experience I needed. My residency program was outstanding. They were incredibly supportive, helping me reach my goals without needing a formal fellowship.
Because Northside handles such a high volume of deliveries, my residency training was exceptional. I worked closely with both physicians and midwives, which gave me a broader perspective. I learned a lot from the midwives, especially their hands-on, preparatory approach to labor. I’ve actually incorporated many of their techniques into my own practice. I’ve found that women really appreciate that blend, the attentiveness and support of a midwife, paired with the confidence that comes from having a physician involved.
7. In what ways do you feel your previous career skills benefit you now as a physician?
I think there’s a different mindset when you’ve had a previous career. It makes you a little bit more well-rounded, not that you cannot be well-rounded without a previous career. Several people go straight from high school to college, then med school, then residency, and there’s nothing wrong with that. For me, it made a huge difference. I was able to see things differently; I had a different perspective. There's a different growth mindset, and I was able to apply the things that I'd previously learned.
From a business standpoint, by having the experience of being a paramedic supervisor in the past, I was able to take the business side of things and use it now that I'm making my own practice. I had built myself up and worked my way up a ladder, which made me feel comfortable looking for opportunities to grow within the residency program and as a physician. It absolutely gives you a lot more experience.
8. What advice would you give to professionals wanting to pursue medicine with a family?
If medicine is truly something you want, know that there’s no time limit or expiration date on learning. Pursuing something meaningful to you will only make you a better version of yourself. Go into it with a plan, stay committed, and be ready to work hard. You've already proven your dedication and work ethic in your current career, so you absolutely have what it takes to succeed in medicine. It’s just a matter of shifting gears, and that’s okay. Dedication makes all the difference.
For those with families, in my mind, family always comes first, and that doesn’t have to change just because you’re pursuing medicine. I knew I had to find a way to make sure my family didn’t feel neglected and that I could still be fully present as a mom and wife, while also being a med student. That meant wearing a lot of hats and getting very intentional with my time. Faith was also important to me.
Going to medical school was not a decision I made alone; it was a family decision. I sat down with my husband and our kids and said, “This is what I want to do, but it’s not just my sacrifice. It’s going to be a sacrifice for all of us. Are you willing to support me?” They all said yes. Of course, none of us fully understood what that sacrifice would look like at the time, but the support was there, and that made all the difference.
We held weekly family meetings every Sunday to review the schedule. We’d go over my clinical hours, study blocks, and exams, and we’d carve out family time, whether it was dinners together, movie nights, or just playing Uno. We communicated constantly and kept each other in the loop.
One thing that really helped was making time for each child individually. Even if it was just five minutes, that time belonged solely to them. Whatever they wanted to do, it was their time. Even though it might seem small, it meant the world to them. That one-on-one time helped each child feel seen and valued.
During school breaks, we stayed local and made the most of our surroundings. We explored the island, visited waterfalls, hiked La Soufrière volcano at least seven times, spent time at the beach, and even visited Bequia. We got to know people in the community and built lifelong friendships. Those moments created balance and brought us closer as a family.
Once the kids went to bed, I’d study and prep for exams. It wasn’t easy, but it was possible with structure, communication, and a lot of grace. I truly believe that with a solid plan and the support of loved ones, pursuing medicine with a family is absolutely achievable.
Although this goes without saying, don’t forget to make time for yourself. If you’re not taking care of your own physical and mental health, everything else will eventually feel heavier. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish; it’s necessary.
If you’re interested in learning how Trinity can support your dream of becoming a doctor, we invite you to reach out to our admissions team today! Contact us here.
