What is your hometown?

Sterling, Illinois

When did you join the University of Iowa Faculty?

I joined full time in 1999, but have taught part time since 1984.

How/When did you become interested in science and medicine?

I found an early interest as a Boy Scout doing First Aid contests.  I originally planned to be an orthodontist, but a college chemistry professor told me, “Your grades are really good.  You should be a physician.”  And I said, “OK!”  And that was that, in all of 30 seconds.                                     

What interested you to pursue a career in Obstetrics and Gynecology?

I had a number of areas in medicine in which I was interested but the year I spent in Vietnam (1968-69) changed my outlook and I wanted to make patients happy and do something life affirming.  The war made me a feminist in that I thought women, as a group, would be less likely to sacrifice their children in needless battle.  I later subspecialized in reproductive endocrinology because of its fascinating complexity.  I have never felt more responsible in my life than when I am doing an in vitro fertilization embryo transfer.

Is there a teacher or mentor who helped shape your career?

My high school English teacher, a college English professor, and my Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility mentor, Dr. Ted Chapler.

How or why did you choose the University of Iowa?

I went to medical school in a ghetto area of Chicago so when I interned at Iowa in 1967-68, I thought, “This is Heaven.” I’ve been here on and off ever since.

What kinds of professional opportunities or advantages does being a faculty member at Iowa provide?  What about challenges?

I love teaching and private practice became so busy that I didn’t have time to teach monthly here, or even have a family practice resident mentor with me.  So the opportunity to teach has been one of the most enjoyable parts of my medical career.  I also tend to be “problem oriented” so having complex patients in a tertiary center has been both intriguing and challenging.  Trying to get new equipment has been my biggest challenge.

Please describe your professional interests.

Ovulation induction techniques were an interest I pursued early on but my main interest now is creating formal coursework and simulations for teaching residents endoscopic surgery.

What are some of your outside interests?

Reading, cooking new recipes with my wife, wood sculpture, concert music, fishing, scuba diving and backpacking.

Do you have insight or philosophy that guides you in your professional work?

It’s a modification of the Golden Rule.  Be kind to people if one can be.  I have always had a bent for finding humor and meaning in life and that learning is lifelong.

If you could change one thing about the world (or the world of medicine), what would it be?

Affordable health care for all and to have a matriarchal society- 51% female dominance in the power structure.   (I wasn’t kidding…that war really did have an affect on me!)

What is the biggest change you’ve experienced in your field since you were a student?

There’s been almost too much change to describe it.  To put it in perspective, in just my small area of medicine, none of the infertility therapies I use today even existed when I was a student.

What one piece of advice would you give to today’s students?

Do not let your lifestyle (money) control your life.  If you decide to alter your career direction as I did, do not let a fancy house or cars keep you from doing so.  Also, choose your mate wisely; medicine is a harsh mistress.

What do you see as “the future” of medicine?

I think gene therapy and stem cell research offer an exciting future.  In my darker moments, I think we will have to make increasingly difficult choices in how we use our medical resources, for instance, “Is this new expensive surgical procedure or expensive new medicine really worth it?” 

In what ways are you engaged with the greater Iowa public (i.e. population based research, mentoring high school students, sharing your leadership/expertise with the organizations or causes, speaking engagements off campus, etc.)?

For many years, I’ve been lecturing on a variety of Obstetric and Gynecology topics to both medical and lay groups around Iowa.  One of my favorite and most challenging activities is facilitating reading retreats in the medical humanities; started by Dr. Dick Caplan (51MA- Music, 55MD- Medicine).  I hope to retire in a few years but plan to continue simulation work with the residents.  I would like to do Habitat for Humanity, teach reading to young students, and work in the free clinic.