Pediatric Alliance — Chartiers/McMurray (19 years)
Birthplace: Wilmington, DE
Education: I went to high school in Philadelphia, then to Cornell University where I studied agriculture BUT I discovered I liked working with people instead! (I did research on plants in greenhouses and was lonely, so I found something similar but with people — medicine!) I attended Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia (M.D.)
Training: University of California, San Francisco, including a year as Chief Resident. I worked in the St. Louis , MO area while husband was assigned to the Air Force and later moved to Pittsburgh to be near family.
Favorite Patient Ages: Early elementary school (K-2). They are so curious about the world around them. Nothing is impossible to them.
What Parents Can Do To Improve Their Children’s Health: Relax — enjoy spending time with their children. Raising children is both hard work and a delight. Pick a style which is comfortable for you. Don’t sweat the small details. We live in an anxious world which can make parent feel insecure. The parents I meet are doing a terrific job and their children grow up into wonderful and capable adults.
What I Love About Pediatrics: Being able to see children grow up over time. Learning new ways to help parents keep their kids healthy.
Best Advice Given To Me: Develop a full life, more than just your professional identity.
Patients Have Taught Me: How to talk with people. I was very shy before I became a doctor. The kindness patients showed me help me come out of my shell.
Funniest On-Call Page: The time Charles, the page operator, ‘discovered’ that my husband & I were married, even though we have different names. He thought we were having an affair!
Personal Hobbies: Photography. I particularly enjoy intimate landscapes.
In My Spare Time: I love to travel and explore off the beaten path. The more remote, the better.
My Inspiration/My Heroes: An entomology (study of insects) professor in college who figured out how antennae work by connecting two dissimilar ideas. I love how one seemingly unrelated idea can bring clarity to another idea.
What’s On My Bucket List: Travel, travel and more travel. So many places. Next trip is to remote areas of Sichuan, China in September.
Always In The ‘Fridge: Fruit. It’s my secret vice, especially mandarin oranges.
I’d Pay To Dine With: Oliver Sacks — his insights, humor, and love of all things science would make for delightful dinner conversation. Alas, he has passed.
One Brain I’d Like To Pick: Ellyn Satter– nutrition expert for children.
Favorite Movie: The Big Lebowski. The Dude abides.
Dogs or Cats? Dogs, no question! (We have two chocolate labs and one tabby cat).
Something People Might Not Know: I have sailed across the ocean on a 32-foot boat in the days before GPS existed.