 Alumni Interviews:
Viviana Martinez-Bianchi, M.D.
A prescription for physician stress x 2
"Being in a dual physician family can be tough
at times, especially during residency. Take time to meet with your
spouse, even for a few minutes. Don't worry about whether
the lawn needs to be mowed; worry about seeing
and being with each other since you don't get that opportunity
very often."
Being a physician can be stressful, tiring and very difficult
at times. Imagine taking that times two. That's what life
has been like for Viviana Martinez-Bianchi, whose husband, Greg,
is also a University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine graduate
who completed his residency in urology here as well.
"Being in a dual physician family can be tough at times, especially during
residency. Take time to meet with your spouse, even for a few minutes. Don't
worry about whether the lawn needs mowed; worry about seeing and being with each
other since you don't get that opportunity very often."
To add to the stress, Martinez-Bianchi and her husband recently
welcomed a baby boy into their lives. Although their situation
can be tough at times,
they both
feel that they made a good decision by waiting to start their family.
"You never realize how wonderful and how difficult it is to raise a child
until you have one. There are still time constraints, however, there would have
been even more if either or both of us were still doing our residency training."
Although busy with motherhood and her career as a Family Practice
physician, Martinez-Bianchi still finds time to participate in
the UI Carver College
of Medicine's Alumni Society Board of Advisors and give back to the College.
In years past, she was also a community-based faculty member, an experience in
which she learned a lot.
"I really enjoyed teaching students and found that I learned probably as
much from them as they did from me. There was always a challenge; these students
were always challenging me."
She gives back her knowledge to the College and encourages all
alumni to give back, whether it's through their knowledge, time or money.
"The more we give back, the more we get out. If you feel like you missed
or were lacking something in your education, then now is the time to give it
back in whatever way is most comfortable, whether it be time or money."
Martinez-Bianchi knows that students of the UI Carver College
of Medicine will not only benefit from an excellent education and
learning environment.
They
will also see the opportunities and chances that the state can
offer as well.
"Iowans are good people. I was a minority and always felt very comfortable
here. Not only will you receive excellent training and education here, you will
always feel welcome and respected."
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