| Finding a job in the Midwest |
I haven’t lived in Wichita, Kansas since I was sixteen years-old, yet I still consider myself a Kansan. So, when reading this article about the Midwest, you should know that I am incredibly, ridiculously biased. With that said, you should also know that there are many who share my high opinion of the “Heartland.”
Many doctors regard this region of the country as a collection of small towns, all with one post office and one restaurant—a fine dining venue with a flickering, green neon sign on the door. And typically, small towns have fewer specialty positions available, which is why physicians often write off the Midwest region and aim to secure jobs in more populous metros like New York and Philly.
Well, my friend, did you know the Midwest region of the United States actually boasts several bustling metros, all offering a wide array of physician positions and a diverse patient population? While not as glamorous or ritzy as some of their coastal counterparts, there is a unique bit of unassuming charm tucked into these metros.
Here is a list of the top Midwest metros by population:
- Chicago—includes parts of Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin
- Detroit—Michigan
- Minneapolis—includes parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin
- St. Louis—includes parts of Missouri and Illinois
- Cleveland—Ohio
- Cincinnati—includes parts of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana
- Kansas City—includes parts of Missouri and Kansas
- Columbus—Ohio
- Indianapolis—Indiana
- Milwaukee—Wisconsin
Now, one of the biggest charms of most Midwest metros is the diversity—not only in patient population but in landscape. When my husband and I visited Wichita recently, he couldn’t get over how close the suburbs were to the downtown district, just a 30-minute drive. Of course, it takes a bit longer to reach the suburbs of a city like Chicago, but you get the idea. You can shop and dine in the city and, after a short drive, pull up to your house in the clean, sprawling countryside.
Another assumption doctors (and all sorts of other professionals) have about the Midwest is the lack of culture, attractions, and activities available. However, there are several pockets of the Midwest that offer plenty in this department. For example, Chicago is one of the leading performing art centers in the world.
Here’s a list of some of the bigger attractions in the Midwest:
- The Great Lakes offer plenty of fishing, canoeing, coastal trails, and sailing
- The Mall of America in Bloomington, Missouri is the largest mall in America as far as enclosed space goes and hosts events for the whole family throughout the year
- Indiana Beach Amusement Resort in Monticello is located on beautiful Lake Shafer and acts an oasis during the summer months.
- Six Flag Amusement Parks can be found in Chicago, St. Louis, and Columbus offering the family all sorts of fun rides and discounted annual tickets
- Plenty of regional zoos including the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois make excellent, educational family outings
- Music Theatre of Wichita (I couldn’t resist a little plug for the hometown) is just one of many professional theatres in the Midwest which put on professional, quality shows, often showcasing Broadway-experienced actors
