Office Jason Schechterle was an Arizonan Police officer, who —while serving in the line of duty — suffered disastrous third and fourth degree burns to his body. After years of surgeries and arduous recovery, Officer Schechterle now travels around the country, inspiring audiences with his drive and insight into the healing process and how patients can truly be cared for by the medical system. Learn more about him at his website: https://www.burningshield.com/home.html
Mohammad Khan Officer Schechterle Interview:
How are you doing this morning?
I am doing well, thank you.
How did you first get involved with speaking at UofA Phoenix?
Back in 2004, I became a homicide detective with the Phoenix police department, and Dr. Erin Nelson who worked for the medical school did a lot of cases with us. She invited me for a lecture, and I have been back for a lecture every year since. This is one of the talks I look forward to most every year.
Since you have began giving us these talks, have you noticed any large changes in the cultures or attitudes of the students?
I have not noticed any big changes in the culture of the medical students. I love to see how engaged the medical students are and how much adversity they overcome to be there. Your medical students are always so interested in my story, and I am grateful for that.
Going to medical schools and giving lectures, what surprises you the most about the medical students?
I can’t say that anything in particular surprises me. They are all so interested, compassionate and kind, they are such a refreshing group of people to be around.
Do you give lectures to any other medical schools?
I have also spoken at the Texas Christian University/University of North Texas. These talks are fantastic and always go very well.
What do you think is the most important thing for a physician to bring to the table when consoling patients?
Treat everyone as an individual person. Not a case and not as a chart. A doctor will see hundreds of patients, and a patient will see only a couple of doctors. It is important that you are real and [be] there for what can be the worst day of their lives.
So I asked you about a symbol you found particularly interesting, and you mentioned you liked the ironic image of a Phoenix, would you like to elaborate a little more?
It symbolizes rising from the ashes. I also worked for the Phoenix police department, and this whole experience is just a fitting symbol.
Mohammad Khan is a fourth-year medical student in The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, Class of 2021. He graduated from Arizona State University in 2014 with two bachelor's degrees in biochemistry and biology. He then worked as a teacher and completed a Master's in biomedical diagnostics in 2017. For fun, Mohammad (who also goes by Mokha) likes to practice at the archery range, work on calligraphy, game, and fountain pen writing, and read science fiction novels. He is interested in medicine with a focus on educating patients.