David Arriola

When people learn that David Arriola (09) is a graduate student pursuing degrees in medicine (M.D.) and divinity (M.Div.), their response is often inquisitive: How do you keep those two worlds separate?

“I always tell them ‘I wasn’t aware that I could,’” said Arriola. “My faith has everything to do with my work—my experience in medicine wouldn’t be the same without my personal convictions or the hope I have through my faith.”

Interested in medicine from a young age, Arriola came to PLNU as a pre-med student in 2005. Under the guidance of theology professors, like Dr. John Wright, and science professors, like Dr. David Cummings and Dr. Kerry Fulcher, he began to further explore the intersection of the natural and spiritual worlds and how they influence each other.

“There isn’t a conflict between science and faith or reason and faith, even though most people see them as worlds apart,” said Arriola. “There is this false dichotomy that exists that says faith is on one side and reason is on the other and that if you have faith and also try to reason then you’re not trusting God. I have learned that faith is a form of reasoning. Whether you’re religious or not, you have to have faith in something—you accept something as being true and work your way up from there. It’s this mindset that really influences how my life is ordered.”

Seeking to grow more as a Christian and physician and develop a greater understanding of how those areas overlap, Arriola enrolled at Duke University’s School of Medicine and School of Divinity in 2010, after receiving a full scholarship to attend.

Currently the only student at Duke enrolled in this six-year dual degree program, Arriola has completed two years of medical work, one classroom-based and the other in clinical training, and is in his second year of divinity school. Though transitioning between the two can be challenging, Arriola has found that the program setup lends itself well to creating a balanced perspective.

“Clinical year is the hardest; you experience your highest highs and lowest lows. Even though it’s incredibly rewarding to work with patients, it’s also very draining. Coming to divinity school after my clinical year really helped me deconstruct and reflect on that experience,” he said.

Looking forward, Arriola will be taking part in a hospital chaplaincy this summer, finishing up his divinity school coursework and medical research next year, and completing his clinical work for medical school in the final year. Though excited about what the next two years hold, he is also eager about life after school and the chance to bring his unique blend of training to the workplace. After participating in an internal medicine residency with a focus on infectious disease, he hopes to be in clinical practice in a teaching hospital. In addition to working with patients, his goal is to help educate medical students and residents on patient-centered care and the importance of moral formation in the medical field.