Where you work:
Pretty much wherever I happen to be, as long as I have my laptop and a decent internet connection ( i.e., I am able to do most of my work remotely these days.)
Typical day in your shoes:
Happily, that varies from day to day. I am currently working ~ 2/3 time, involving a mix of collaborative projects, working with different groups and organizations both Iowa-based and beyond, as well as about one day per week of clinical work.
What’s your favorite part of being a psychiatrist?
That’s hard to pin down to one thing, but if I had to, it is probably that the core element of my vocation seems to boil down to the value of one-on-one conversations that are real – and the privilege of being let in to what is most important to the person I’m sitting with.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?
Choose a vocation in which time is your ally, and not your enemy. (i.e., you inevitably get better at it the longer you do it and the older and hopefully wiser you get).
Favorite vacation experience/destination:
Crete, for sure! My favorite place on the planet.
Which actor/actress would you want to play you in the movie about your life?
Oy – really? How about an unknown child actor – in a movie about me as a kid (the actor would be cast based on their ability to portray feeling perplexed all the time).
Favorite TV show:
If we are thinking about favorite show of all time – I’d have to say “The Wire”; favorite recent show – probably “Reservation Dogs”.
What’s one thing that can instantly make your day better?
Making a real connection with someone (sounds corny, but it’s true – certainly doesn’t have to be a patient – could be anyone, even in a brief interaction).
