Once His Patient… Now His Partner
When Nicole Larson was a teenager
growing up in Carrollton, her allergy and sinus problems were treated by an ENT specialist at Trinity Medical Center (now Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton), Dr. David Chihal. Now Dr. Nicole Larson Bryan is Dr. Chihal's new medical partner. Their story is a perfect example of the unexpected positive influence we can have on the people around us.
When Nicole Larson was 14
and suffering from sinus headaches and allergies, her parents brought her to Dr. David Chihal, an ENT specialist in Carrollton. When Nicole was 16, Dr. Chihal took her to surgery at Trinity Medical Center (now Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton) to open her sinuses and help prevent the recurrent sinus infections and headaches which were significantly curtailing her activities. With allergy injections, Nicole's symptoms were under control when she graduated from Newman Smith High School. Dr. Chihal kept in touch with Nicole mainly through her parents, Bruce and Patty, who are long-time residents of Carrollton. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelors Degree in Biology, Nicole earned her Master of Science in Genetic Epidemiology at the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston.
Dr. Chihal
was excited when he heard Nicole had decided to become a physician. During her junior year of medical school at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Nicole came to Trinity to observe Dr. Chihal performing ENT surgery and discuss a possible future career in ENT.
This August
after five more years of study and training at the University of New Mexico completing her residency in Otolaryngology — and nineteen years after their first meeting as doctor and patient — Dr. Nicole Larson Bryan joined Dr. Chihal in his ENT practice at Trinity Medical Center in Carrollton (now Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton).
"Through the years when I would see Nicole or hear about her accomplishments from her parents, I always encouraged her to pursue her dreams and stay in school, but I had no idea that one day we would actually practice together," said Dr. Chihal. "Our philosophies of medical practice are so similar. We have quickly become a team combining the best of my experience and her excellent recent training to provide the kind of care we both want for our patients." - Dr. David Chihal
When Nicole is asked
about coming home to work with Dr. Chihal, she smiles in her own quiet way, remembering all the steps which have brought her full circle.
"Dr. Chihal has been a mentor to me most of my life. Neither of us realized, however, as he encouraged me on the path to becoming an ENT, that our relationship would become a partnership. I am very excited to be able to take advantage of his experience and knowledge." - Dr. Nicole Bryan