R. Kilian Schafer MD, FAAP
Dr. Schafer was born into a military family with the requisite frequent relocations during his childhood. He then embarked on his own military career, enlisting in the USAF at the age of 18 and serving on active duty for 26 years. The first 12 years of his military career were spent overseas in Europe and Asia. Not long before he retired from the military, he had to decide if he wanted to continue in the field he had worked in for over 20 years or to do something new.
He decided “I’ll go to medical school and become a physician!” So once he retired he returned to his home state of Texas, received his B.S. at UTSA, and then immediately started medical school at TTUHSC PLFSOM in El Paso. He also did his residency in Pediatrics in El Paso. He was frequently asked what it was like being a non-traditional student with most of his classmates being young enough to be his kids and he would respond “it’s like herding cats.”
In his final year of residency he needed to decide where he wanted to hang his shingle. After eight years in El Paso, it definitely had to be someplace that was not hot, so a cooler climate was in order. He has always had an adventurous spirit and a love of all things outdoors, so where could one go with wild places to explore? Alaska! This was the place where he could engage in the activities he most enjoys: camping, hiking, hunting, fishing. He has also gotten into beekeeping since moving to Alaska. Plus, he enjoys cooking and loves to barbecue, which he is quick to explain is different from grilling.
He decided “I’ll go to medical school and become a physician!” So once he retired he returned to his home state of Texas, received his B.S. at UTSA, and then immediately started medical school at TTUHSC PLFSOM in El Paso. He also did his residency in Pediatrics in El Paso. He was frequently asked what it was like being a non-traditional student with most of his classmates being young enough to be his kids and he would respond “it’s like herding cats.”
In his final year of residency he needed to decide where he wanted to hang his shingle. After eight years in El Paso, it definitely had to be someplace that was not hot, so a cooler climate was in order. He has always had an adventurous spirit and a love of all things outdoors, so where could one go with wild places to explore? Alaska! This was the place where he could engage in the activities he most enjoys: camping, hiking, hunting, fishing. He has also gotten into beekeeping since moving to Alaska. Plus, he enjoys cooking and loves to barbecue, which he is quick to explain is different from grilling.