Undergrad Institution; Degree and Major:
University of Pennsylvania - BA, Biology and Political Science
Medical School:
University of Illinois – Chicago
In practice since:
1993
Your Specialty:
Emergency Medicine
Where and for how many years did you train AFTER medical school:
4 years - Cook County Hospital, Chicago, IL
How did you choose your specialty?
Instinct.
What do you like MOST, and like LEAST, about your specialty?
I like the broad nature of the specialty, the intensity of the work, the opportunity to be helpful in a crisis, the skillset to help in any emergency, and the ability to control my schedule and not be hostage to a practice. I am also very proud of the role of safety net specialty and the ability to see all patients regardless of their ability to pay. Challenges are hospital processes that slow patient care and the difficulty in dealing with colleagues when they are not at their best.
In your opinion, what attributes are important in anyone choosing this specialty?
Attributes include a very realistic understanding of the specialty and the lifestyle. One also needs to understand the dual nature of the specialty (crisis vs. primary care/safety net role).
Hobbies/special interests:
- Food
- Puzzles
- Traveling
- Reading
- Restoring a ’72 Fiat convertible
- Anything that will keep me relevant to two teenage sons