I grew up in Winnsboro, where my Grandparents, and then later my parents, owned and operated Kitchell Printing. My brother and I were raised in the printing shop, but we both understood that our family wanted something different from us. We were both encouraged to go to college and enter the medical field, which we both did.
In 2001 I graduated from Winnsboro High School, and began college at ULM. While I was there I had the pleasure of meeting Rebecca Lynn Cranston. We began dating and in February of 2004 she became Rebecca Lynn Kitchell. I had tossed the idea of medical school around some in High school, but it wasn’t until college that I finally began to seriously pursue it. There is no longer a degree strictly known as “Pre-med”, so students are encouraged to enter the undergraduate degree of their choosing. My choice was Radiologic Technology, a degree which allows one to take x-rays in a hospital. I chose this not only for the experience, but also because it required most of the same classes which I needed to apply to medical school. My brother and I both graduated in the class of 2005, each with a Bachelors of Science in Radiologic Technology. I worked for two years as an x-ray tech while finishing the classes I needed to apply. In 2007 I began medical school at LSU in Shreveport. I am now beginning my final year of medical school and will graduate in May of 2011.
During my second year of medical school, God blessed our family with the birth of Robert Henry Kitchell, our first child. While having a child does make medical school a little more interesting, I wouldn’t trade him for the world. In fact, I am proud to say that we are expecting our second child in November of this year.
After medical school new doctors attend a residency program to further specialize into the field they choose. I have chosen Family Medicine, which is a 3 year residency. I will spend this year applying to different programs and trying to decide which program is the best fit. After residency, I look forward to returning to Franklin Parish to practice.
Mike Kitchell
