Infectious Disease

#1 PIECE OF HEALTH ADVICE FOR PEOPLE IN THEIR 50S REGARDING YOUR SPECIALTY? Exercise regularly, eat healthfully, stay hydrated, and get vaccinated (against everything for which vaccines are recommended). WHAT FORTHCOMING TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT IN YOUR AREA OF SPECIALTY ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT THAT WILL BENEFIT FUTURE PATIENTS? Advancing molecular diagnostics, such as PCR, that will allow for better diagnosis of infectious diseases in a broader array of conditions. YOUR THOUGHTS ON UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE IN SIX WORDS OR LESS: If real, that would be awesome! THE SO-CALLED FAUCI EFFECT (MORE INTEREST IN HEALTHCARE CAREERS, SPURRED BY COVID-19) SAW AN 18 PERCENT INCREASE IN MEDICAL SCHOOL APPLICANTS IN 2021. WHAT WILL THIS MEAN FOR FUTURE PATIENTS? Probably not a lot. To my knowledge, the size of medical school classes in the U.S. is capped, so more applicants only means a bit more competition for those limited slots. IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME 25 YEARS AND GIVE YOURSELF ONE PIECE OF HEALTH ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Make time to be your best, healthiest and fullest self as a whole person, not just a physician. I’ve made time to exercise regularly over the past 15 years or so, but the other parts are still very much a work in progress. MOST REALISTIC MEDICAL SHOW ON TELEVISION, PAST OR PRESENT? I’m really not sure, since I haven’t watched many on a regular basis since “ER,” several eons ago, but I have a special fondness for “St. Elsewhere,” since it was based on the real Boston City Hospital, where I did my internal medicine residency.

HAS THE AVAILABILITY OF HEALTH-RELATED INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET HELPED OR HARMED THE WAY PATIENTS SEEK CARE? It has helped patients but some providers rely more on electronic communications rather than direct communication with the patient which may decrease the quality of care. STAYING HYDRATED IS OBVIOUSLY IMPORTANT FOR GOOD HEALTH. WITH SO MANY WATER CHOICES (MINERAL, SPRING, SPARKLING, FILTERED, ALKALINE, PURIFIED, TAP), ARE THERE ANY GUIDELINES YOU WOULD RECOMMEND? Avoid diet drinks unless diabetic and also avoid sodas. #1 PIECE OF HEALTH ADVICE FOR PEOPLE IN THEIR 30S REGARDING YOUR SPECIALTY? Healthy lifestyle: Well-balanced diet, exercise and adequate amounts of sleep. MOST MEMORABLE MEDICAL SITUATION? Drowning resuscitation at a public pool. WHAT FORTHCOMING TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT IN YOUR AREA OF SPECIALTY ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT THAT WILL BENEFIT FUTURE PATIENTS? Continued development of monoclonal antibodies to treat metabolic disorders and cancer. YOUR THOUGHTS ON UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE IN SIX WORDS OR LESS: I’m for it. THE SO-CALLED FAUCI EFFECT (MORE INTEREST IN HEALTHCARE CAREERS, SPURRED BY COVID-19) SAW AN 18 PERCENT INCREASE IN MEDICAL SCHOOL APPLICANTS IN 2021. WHAT WILL THIS MEAN FOR FUTURE PATIENTS? Hopefully better access to health care, although it may not be to primary care. STUDYING MEDICINE THEN VS. NOW: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? After getting a degree, if you attempt to go into private practice you must deal with health care regulations, EMR, poor reimbursement and health plan interference into your practice. IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME 25 YEARS AND GIVE YOURSELF ONE PIECE OF HEALTH ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Get more sleep. I believe there are long term health benefits from this. COMPLETE YOUR OWN ENDING TO THE SAYING “AN APPLE A DAY…” An apple a day doesn’t do much. WHAT’S THE MOST REALISTIC MEDICAL SHOW ON TELEVISION, PAST OR PRESENT? “Scrubs.” ARTIST WHOSE MUSIC WE’D HEAR THE MOST IN YOUR WAITING ROOM: Claude Debussy.

ALSO IN THE TOP 3 FOR INTERNAL MEDICINE: Megan Molleck, William Berlin