Pub. 4 2020 Issue 2

How did you choose family medi- cine as your specialty? Also, tell me about concentrating on pre- ventive medicine and women’s health as a family doctor? I like family medicine because we can learn a little bit about a variety of things and see different groups of people and ages. I value the opportunity to form relationships with patients. I am grateful to be able to take care of individu- als and their families throughout their lives. I especially like preventive medicine because it improves the quality of life. I like teaching people how to take care of their bodies and their families. Educating women and practicing women’s health has been a joy for me, and I know it has been helpful for many of my patients because they feel more comfort- able with a female provider. I feel connected to them. It is almost like a kind of sisterhood. I want to learn more, to be able to do it right. I must admit, I was incredibly impressed at the number of five- star reviews you received on the University of Utah website. Your patients write the most wonderful things about you. Can you tell me about the importance of building relationships with your patients? Do you think this kind of relation- ship-building is one of the things that make family medicine such a special and important specialty? I believe that taking care of people is so special. They trust you with the most precious aspects of their lives, with some of their fears, doubts and even secrets. To help them, it seems crucial to get to know them, really listen and remember who they are. I have truly come to love these people over time, and I can help them more effectively when I know more about them. As someone practicing family medicine during the COVID-19 pan- demic, what has your experience been educating patients about the virus? It has been a learning curve. It has been a delicate balance to take care of the people with COVID without exposing other patients and staff that may be vulnerable and at higher risk of complications from the virus. We have had to be creative to give the best care. Anywhere from virtual visits, using a special room, having patients enter the build- ing from alternative entries to reduce others’ exposures, or evaluating people with active COVID in their cars to keep others safe. I have been moved and worried about some of my patients who have been extremely sick. If they cannot breathe, I have to send them to the hospital and hope for the best. COVID-19 has shown a light on health disparities, particularly in the early months of the virus, disproportionally affecting minor - ity communities. As you see both English and Spanish-speaking pa- tients, what has your experience been treating and educating pa- tients from diverse communities during this pandemic? I am grateful to be of service to the English and Spanish speaking community. I try to educate the best I can in regards to prevention of COVID, and on the warning signs. I have tried to be a reasonable voice to educate how to protect each other and answer questions. We are experi- encing interesting and memorable times. Even though I am not so much on the “front lines,” I feel that as family medicine physicians we have an important role in trying to take care of all the “non COVID” things, try- ing to preserve people’s health, and to avoid other medical problems from getting out of balance so that people can avoid having to go to the hospital, helping their mental health, not forgetting the preventive services, and using our “megaphones” for good. Member Spotlight | Continued from page 11 www.UtahAFP.org | 12