Where do you work?
I retired from full time work at the VA Hospital in Iowa City in 2010 and from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Iowa several years later.Those last years were supervising third year residents one day a week in the outpatient clinic at the Iowa City Mental Health Clinic. With full time retirement, work consists of yard work, house work and assisting with post funeral meals at our local church. However, as I approach my mid-eighties, my life style is becoming more sedentary and less “work”.
Typical day in your shoes?
Now let’s see. How does an old doc with less than perfect recall spend his day. I never was a morning person, so instead of arriving at the clinic at eight, I get out of bed at eight. Rarely a breakfast eater when working, now I have one everyday. Since newspapers are now a thing of the past, I open my IPad and peruse NPR, IPR and AppleNews for the news. Little projects fill the remainder of the morning and early PM. Note, no lunch – watching my weight. Next I have two chances to correctly answer final Jeopardy at 3:30 and 4:00. TV news and dinner till 6:30. Read mystery novels or watch a program on IPTV till time to turn in.
What advice would you give yourself if you could go back to year 1 in your profession?
I have enjoyed psychiatry most when I have been in academia and teaching, my advice to self would have been to stay in Iowa City and forego private practice.
If you had to permanently delete one decade of music from history, which would it be?
Easy, the Disco decade.
What recipe do you make that could be a top seller on a restaurant menu?
In the family, I’m known for meatloaf and mash potatoes with chives. Those are my entire culinary skills.
If you had to change jobs tomorrow, what is another job you think you’d be great at?
I enjoy history and thus would love to teach it.
