I am a family practice physician. I felt this calling in early adolescence. I personally think it’s the most challenging specialty, and I do my best to keep my skills polished as I walk through life with my patients and the myriad of problems we deal with as humans. I’m the front line, and I enjoy that connection with my patients.
The challenge. Can I solve this ever-changing puzzle, at least for the moment, and find a more eloquent, hopefully simpler, solution?
Residency is where you find your passion in medicine. It was so special to me that I went into academics for a decade teaching new graduates how we do it.
Teaching residents meant being with young doctors as they prepared to leave the nest. The ongoing relationships with these colleagues, years later, continues to reward me.
Hard work is necessary to be successful in anything one does and you have to stick up for yourself.
The Call is a nonprofit organization that mobilizes local churches to serve local children and youth placed in foster care.
Fortunately or not, understanding the business side of medicine is imperative to serving my patients. These skills allow me to help patients navigate a complicated system especially during difficult times.
Make informed decisions, not emotional ones and ask the right questions. Most of the time simply listening to others allows me to help and give in big ways.
Those of us invested in family medicine really do live it 24/7. Especially when your husband does the same work. We are always thinking about our patient’s challenges.
