Nathan Gwilliam

Nat grew up moving around the United States as an Army kid, learning from an early age that there is no single “normal” way to speak, live, believe, or engage with the world. This wandering way of life continued after high school when he was an exchange student in Germany for a gap year. He then attended Rice University where he majored in Women, Gender, & Sexuality before taking yet another gap year as a Zeff Fellow to travel around the world learning about women’s health nonprofits. Returning to Houston, Nat completed his MD at Baylor College of Medicine where he participated in LGBT+ and women’s health electives as well as pursuing research in pediatric surgery. He then matched to the University of Chicago for general surgery. During his time at U of C, Nat gained a deeper insight into the practice of medicine, basic and clinical research, the evolving healthcare system, and the challenges – internal and external - that providers struggle with. To better care for himself, he stepped away from medicine and worked in medical affairs at biomedical companies. He focused on clinical research protocols, regulatory negotiations, and educational activities. However, his passion for mental health and wholistic care of humans lead him back to psychiatry where he hopes to use his non-linear personal and professional experience to support a medical culture of resilience and well-being. Other activities that occupy his time and mind include his dogs, knitting, meditation, and sci-fi.