At Lucens, we believe that every medical professional has a unique story worth sharing. Our "Behind the Scrubs" series pulls back the curtain on the diverse journeys of remarkable individuals in healthcare. Through candid interviews, we explore the challenges, triumphs, and pivotal moments that shape careers in medicine.
These stories embody the Lucens philosophy: there's no one "right" way to build a fulfilling medical career. By showcasing various paths, we aim to inspire, guide, and connect the next generation of practitioners. Whether you're a student, resident, or established professional, these insights offer valuable lessons and fresh perspectives on the ever-evolving world of medicine.
Join us as we go "Behind the Scrubs" and discover the human stories that make medicine such a rewarding field.
Why did you want to be a doctor?
I didn't always want to be a doctor. I fought it and explored other fields, like urban planning and architecture. In college, I volunteered at Bellevue Hospital, which had just undergone a big renovation. Despite its new look, patient access was still poor. This sparked my interest in designing for hospitals within an urban environment. Eventually, I realized that instead of designing healthcare systems, I wanted to be directly involved in delivering healthcare. I believed I could make the most impact personally through a career in medicine.
Let’s talk specialty. How did that come to be?
Specialty selection happened around the same time. As a teenager, I was interested in feminism and activism, but didn't act on it. When I decided to pursue medicine, I knew I wanted to focus on women's health. I believed in reproductive freedom even before it became a contested topic. In med school, within the first year or two, I knew I wanted to do OBGYN. I didn't advertise it to my friends or family, but I was certain that's what I wanted.
What is the biggest misconception about your specialty?
There are many. One is that pregnancy is easy and safe, but it can actually be very dangerous. Another is that fulfillment and motherhood are inherently tied together, which is not always true. Women's health is often believed to be well-studied and well-funded, but in reality, it is underrepresented in research and funding. Women are consistently underrepresented in national and state-level research and pharmaceutical studies.
What's the next big thing in your specialty that everyone should know about?
The biggest issue right now is reproductive freedom and access. This affects every specialty. For instance, women with cardiac conditions need evaluations before considering pregnancy, and diabetes must be managed carefully before pregnancy. Reproductive health impacts all areas of medicine, not just OBGYN.
What's one breakthrough needed in your field?
Women need to make up 50% of all new and ongoing research, as well as some retrospective studies. Currently, much cardiac medication isn't well-studied in women, despite them living longer and having more undiagnosed cardiac diseases. Cardiac research is skewed towards male subjects, so we need more female representation to understand how medications metabolize differently in women.
Can you share a particularly rewarding patient experience?
Many rewarding experiences are related to birth. When a patient asks me to be there for her delivery, the joy, comfort, and reassurance she feels in that moment is incredible.
How do you balance work and family life?
I wake up early, before everyone else, to prepare the kids' school bags and lunches, as well as my on-call bag. Once the kids are up, I get them ready and out the door. The night before, I plan and prep dinner so any adult can execute it if I'm not home in time. This ensures everyone is fed.
What are your strategies for productivity and balance?
I use timers for everything. For example, I'll set a timer for 20 minutes to prep food for the next day. It keeps me focused and prevents distractions. I also do a final kitchen check once the kids are asleep, often pre-packing lunches or prepping for the next day.
What are your top three essential timers?
The 20-minute timer for food prep is essential. I also use timers to ensure I complete other tasks efficiently. For example, I don't bring charts home; I chart while in the room with the patient or between room turnovers. This ensures accurate documentation and timely care without bringing work home. Documenting in real-time ensures accuracy and prevents delays in patient care. If someone else needs to access the chart, they have a clear, up-to-date record. Plus, I prefer to keep work at work and focus on family when I'm home
What's one skill you're currently building and why?
I'm working on negotiating, as I'm in the midst of countering a job offer. It's important to ask for more—whether it's money, benefits, or perks—and not just accept the first offer. I'm managing the fear and doubt that come with negotiating to do it more strategically.
Can you share a time when you overcame a significant challenge and experienced personal growth?
Professionally, I faced a big conflict with an older, seasoned physician who undermined my orders for patients in the hospital. He would change my orders and give conflicting instructions to nurses. It created a tense and contentious environment. One day, I decided to approach him and say, "I don't know how we got off on the wrong foot, but I'd like to move forward constructively for our patients' sake." He was receptive, and though we didn't become friends, we started communicating better.
It was a hard conversation, but necessary for a better work experience. I eventually left that job but learned I could handle uncomfortable conversations and take control of my work environment.
What shifted in you after that experience?
I realized I could have uncomfortable conversations and that I'm in control of my experience. Just because someone doesn't like me doesn't mean I have to accept it. When patient care is affected, I need to raise the concern.
If you could wave a magic wand and make one change to the healthcare world, what would it be?
I would change the reimbursement structure from commercial insurances. It's always about the money.
Is there anything else you'd like to mention?
I think it's important for young physicians or those in training to be open to doing things off the beaten path. The current system has brought us to a challenging moment, and it's time to try new approaches. There's so much talent and ingenuity in our communities; we should break some of the rules and create new things. Even if we fail, trying is worthwhile.
