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

Even when I was young, I thought it would be cool to be a scientist, but did not think I wanted to work in a hospital. I preferred the outdoors and thought about being a naturalist. Then I realized how much I depended on social interactions to keep me engaged and stimulated. After spending some time in the hospital with my father, who was a surgeon, the sterile environment no longer bothered me, and I found that I derived a lot of satisfaction from patient care.

What interested you to pursue a career in anesthesia?

Early in medical school my interest was in preventative care. When I rotated to anesthesia late in my third year of medical school, my eyes were opened up to a field of medicine that I had never considered. I found that I liked the pace and potential excitement found in the operating room. Many of us, who find a niche in anesthesia, like the occasional rush of adrenaline that we inevitably experience.

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

There was not really one person, although my husband had the most influence on where I am right now in academics.

How did you choose to come to the UI?

I am an Iowan, and grew up in northwest Iowa. Being one of 12 children, there was no discussion of attending anything other than a state university. I was an undergraduate, medical student, and resident here at Iowa. After my residency, my husband and I set up our own private practices in Spencer, Iowa, for almost four years. In private practice, we found that we missed the stimulating environment where teaching goes on everyday, and also missed the more difficult cases that are sent to a tertiary center. We then entered academics at the University of Missouri in Columbia for the next four years. I did a fellowship in pediatric anesthesia there, and in 1998 we were recruited back to Iowa City.

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

Of course we can’t be completely ignorant about business, but at least it occupies less of our time here than it did in private practice, and allows us to ask more critical questions about patient care and education. I also have the opportunity here to work with some of the brightest people, and to bounce ideas off them or to collaborate. It is also fulfilling to watch the students or residents progress through their training and mature as physicians.

Please describe your professional interests?

Pediatric anesthesia is my subspecialty and something that I never tire of. Academically, my interests lie in how to provide the best education to medical students and residents. From 1998 to 2004, I was the director of medical student education for the anesthesia department, and currently am the residency director.

What are some of your outside interests?

I love all water and snow sports. Number one is sailboat racing.

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

You may find this odd, but the thing about medicine that bothers me the most, is the incredible amount of waste and trash we produce. We need to figure out how to be more “green.”

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

It is not one thing, but just how fast technology is changing everything in medicine.

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

When you get tired or frustrated at work, step back to keep your perspective. Remember how much better off you are than the patient you are taking care of. Also, being a physician is one of the best jobs in the world. We are so lucky to have such a fulfilling career that gives our life purpose, rather than working to be able to pay the rent or put food on the table.

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

Certainly, we will see a lot more in technology and automation, especially to prevent human errors, but I don’t believe the human element of caring can ever be replaced.

F President Skorton named 2005 as the “Year of Public Engagement.” In what ways are you engaged with the greater Iowa public?

I am afraid that my current schedule with full-time work and a six-year-old daughter and eight-year-old son and all of their activities to keep up with don’t leave time for much else. But working at the University Hospitals allows me to care for Iowans from all over the state everyday.