THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 5, 1996 TAG: 9605030197
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: CLOSE-UP
SOURCE: REBECCA A. MYERS
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
IT CAME TO HIM AS HE lay in a foxhole in South Korea, swatting at flies and mosquitoes.
``You know, I think I have a little bit more potential than what I'm living up to right now,'' Avery Davis told himself.
That was six years ago. Today, the 29-year-old is about to graduate with a medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School.
In September, Davis starts his residency training at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington.
As a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation, he'll be working with victims of stroke, neuromuscular disease and spinal cord injuries.
``I had thought about orthopedics, but this is something that fits more closely with my personality,'' Davis says.
``You need to be someone who is patient . . . someone who is willing to spend a fair amount of time with patients to gain a greater understanding of the special situation that each may have for his or her disability.''
Davis' father, Shelton Davis, a Norfolk Naval Shipyard welder, says he came from such a large family himself that he and his wife, Brenda, almost decided not to have children.
``But we had him, and I'm the proudest I've ever been in my life,'' Shelton Davis says.
The younger Davis graduated from Manor High School in 1984 and received a bachelor's degree in biology from Virginia Military Institute.
``We never had to pay for him to go to school,'' Shelton Davis says. ``We saved up for him to go to school, but that boy paid his own way by getting scholarships.''
Immediately after graduation from VMI, Davis fulfilled his obligation with the military as a chemical officer, spending time in South Korea, Thailand and Australia before completing his tour in Maryland at Aberdeen Proving Ground. The Army has paid his way through medical school.
The hospital where Davis will spend the next four years was his first choice among the residencies he listed by preference.
``There's so much learning going on there,'' he says. ``Every day they have teaching rounds or lectures to help facilitate the learning.
``And the residents all scored exceptionally well on their national boards. So I think that was probably the thing that most encouraged me to go there.''
Name: S. Avery Davis
Nickname: Flounder
Neighborhood: Cavalier Manor
Number of years in Portsmouth: 21
Birthplace: Maryview Medical Center
Birthdate: May 13, 1966
Occupation: Medical student
Marital status: Single
First concert: The Jackson Five in 1977 at Hampton Coliseum
What song or book title best describes your life? ``The Odyssey'' by Homer
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you'd buy? Nothing. I would invest the monies in a diversified portfolio.
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? At this point in my life, I am comfortable with the person I am becoming, so I can't say I'd want to be anyone other than myself.
Biggest accomplishment: Finishing medical school.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My affection for late-night snacks.
Perfect way to spend the day: Getting up at 6 a.m., running three to four miles, going to the gym to lift weights, then reading a good book, followed by dinner with family and friends and a moonlight walk on the beach.
I can't resist: Hot fudge brownie sundaes
Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: The Max
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: Home
Biggest challenge facing Portsmouth: Continued growth and economic development that incorporates citizens of all social strata.
If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?
Greater community involvement in crime prevention.
Improved race relations.
Improve the quality of public schools. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
by CNB