This month’s My Story SHARED by Patrick Flyte, M.D.
I was raised by wonderful loving parents and had all the opportunity in
the world. But after starting my undergraduate career at NAU in Flagstaff,
I soon became involved in keg beer parties and smoking marijuana.
I was diagnosed with manic depression and was prescribed medication but
refused this help. My life continued to be chaotic because of my substance
abuse. I no longer could function in the classroom or with friends and family.
The only help my parents could offer me… was to enter Teen Challenge.
I accepted the Lord into my life while being counseled over the phone by
a church staff member. Two friends drove me to Teen Challenge. My experience
at Teen Challenge was very difficult in the beginning. There was a lot of
structure and discipline, not at all what I was used to. I wanted to run,
but God kept me there and in about six months, as I adjusted, I realized
this is a pretty good place to be! It was there that I became highly motivated
to complete my Bachelor’s degree. I graduated from Arizona Teen Challenge
in 1985.
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God provided nurturing Christians to help me mature in my new faith. Flowing Wells Assembly of God was an accepting church family to me during all my years in Tucson. Chi Alpha campus ministry also provided strong support and good friends.
Even though God had given me a new life, there were setbacks, but I eventually
earned a Bachelor of Science degree in General Biology with minors in Math
and Chemistry at the University of Arizona.
During a Sunday night service at Casa Grande Assembly of God, I sensed a
revelation from the Lord that I was to pursue medical school to become a
primary care physician. This thought excited me! God provided help through
federal student loans that allowed me to attended Ross University School
of Medicine in the Caribbean and continue my studies in Dominica, West Indies,
followed by two years of hospital clerkship in London, England and New York
City. I developed many new Christian friends in all of the various locations
my studies took me. Many of them remain very close friends to this day.
My three-year family practice residency was performed at Louisiana State
University in Monroe, Louisiana. Now I’m back in Arizona, living and
working in Casa Grande. I work at Harvest Medical Clinic as a board certified
family practice staff physician. I enjoy it all – from treating newborns
to geriatrics and the literally hundreds of other medical challenges that
come up daily in family medicine. Additionally, I serve as the physician
for the women and children at the Teen Challenge Home of Hope in Casa Grande,
AZ. It's all very rewarding!
When I moved back to Casa Grande, I reconnected with Casa Grande Assembly
of God. Life is good thanks to God’s redemptive grace and the people
He used to help a young man who had lost his way! I am honored to be the
first Teen Challenge Graduate in the nation to become a medical doctor.
Thank You, Jesus!
If you would like to share your story with our readers, please email our Associate Editor at Mindi@GoodNewsTucson.com.
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