What inspired you to pursue a career in pediatrics, and what continues to motivate you in this field today?
It’s interesting that I never said I wanted to be a doctor, but I always wanted to be a pediatrician. I was very specific, and I really think it was the influence of my parents. My mother has a degree in Early Childhood Education and a master’s in counseling, and my father was a urologist. I think I inherited her love for children. I think they’re fantastic. They make you smile every day you walk into the clinic. When I attended medical school and I rotated through different areas, pediatrics still won me over. I’m a people person and I like that longitudinal relationship with families as a primary care physician.
What continues to motivate me is the great need for physicians like me. I have devoted my career working in safety net systems. It is an honor and privilege to walk into families’ lives and not only provide them with excellent health care, but also connect them to resources and help them advocate for things that can profoundly impact their lives positively. Also, what motivates me to be a mentor and role model to our next generation of physicians is to reduce these health care disparities that we see in populations today. Each person you teach and mentor carries a bit of you with them, so that hopefully your positive impact, through them, continues long after your career is over.
