Optometry

HAS THE AVAILABILITY OF HEALTH-RELATED INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET HELPED OR HARMED THE WAY PATIENTS SEEK CARE? Both. It has helped because patients are more informed, but can be harmful because the reliability of information is sometimes questionable. 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? I think staying hydrated is important, and I personally like filtered water and using my refillable container. #1 PIECE OF HEALTH ADVICE FOR PEOPLE IN THEIR 30’S REGARDING YOUR SPECIALTY? Wear sunglasses and eat a balanced diet. #1 PIECE OF HEALTH ADVICE FOR PEOPLE IN THEIR 50’S? Get regular check ups with their primary care doctor and eye doctor! WHAT WAS THE MOST UNUSUAL OR MEMORABLE PLACE OR SITUATION WHERE YOU EVER HAD TO GIVE MEDICAL CARE OR EXPERTISE? I was at Disney World with my husband and kids, and it was a very windy day. Something blew into my son’s eye, and he was very uncomfortable. I everted his upper lid, saw a piece of sand stuck under the lid, and carefully removed it. Then we went on with our fun Disney day! WHAT FORTHCOMING TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT IN YOUR AREA OF SPECIALTY ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT THAT WILL BENEFIT FUTURE PATIENTS? The optical and contact lens companies keep coming out with improved lenses to give patients better quality of vision and comfort. Also the technology for diagnosing different eye diseases keeps improving every year. 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? This will mean more doctors to help with patient care and hopefully more of them will move to New Mexico as we are so short on doctors of all specialties. STUDYING MEDICINE THEN VS. NOW: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? The main difference is that the technology for diagnosing and treating has significantly advanced. IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME 25 YEARS AND GIVE YOURSELF ONE PIECE OF HEALTH ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I would tell myself to take care of my skin better as it would help with aging skin later in life. COMPLETE YOUR OWN ENDING TO THE OLD SAYING “AN APPLE A DAY…” An apple a day will suffice, but eating spinach every day is the best advice. WHAT’S THE MOST REALISTIC MEDICAL SHOW ON TELEVISION, PAST OR PRESENT? “ER” and “M.A.S.H.” ARTIST WHOSE MUSIC WE’D HEAR THE MOST IN YOUR WAITING ROOM: Huey Lewis and the News

ALSO IN THE TOP 3 FOR OPTOMETRY: Joseph Johnson, David Babington

HAS THE AVAILABILITY OF HEALTH-RELATED INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET HELPED OR HARMED THE WAY PATIENTS SEEK CARE? Overall, I think it has helped. It has increased the ability to get information, and that is a good thing, but like all tools it must be properly utilized. #1 PIECE OF HEALTH ADVICE FOR PEOPLE IN THEIR 50’S REGARDING YOUR SPECIALTY? Keep active, keep your weight down, work on transitioning your life to the next stage and change those things that are keeping you from reaching your goals. MOST MEMORABLE MEDICAL SITUATION? I was the only physician aboard a Southwest flight when a passenger started having chest pain, or at least the only one who volunteered. He was sweating profusely and having heart palpitations. In the end it was a panic attack, but the two things orthopedic surgeons are worse at is psychiatry and cardiology so it certainly tested me. WHAT FORTHCOMING TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT IN YOUR AREA OF SPECIALTY ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT THAT WILL BENEFIT FUTURE PATIENTS?

The most exciting technological advances are bioengineered tissues for restoration of function and robotic assisted surgery. STUDYING MEDICINE THEN VS. NOW: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? There is certainly a better work-life balance in medicine now than when I entered healthcare. There are more ways that you can enter healthcare as a provider, which should lead to a better match between what you are looking for and what your training provides. IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME 25 YEARS AND GIVE YOURSELF ONE PIECE OF HEALTH ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Spend more time with your family and friends. The relationships that we nourish will be those that will sustain us no matter what trials and tribulations await.

ALSO IN THE TOP 3 FOR ORTHOPEDICS: Deana Mercer, Gehron Treme

Otolaryngology - ENT

HAS THE AVAILABILITY OF HEALTH-RELATED INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET HELPED OR HARMED THE WAY PATIENTS SEEK CARE? This is a double-edged sword..it is always best to be informed about your medical condition, but sometimes, as a physician, you spend a lot of your time with the patient unraveling a misdiagnosis. #1 PIECE OF HEALTH ADVICE FOR PEOPLE IN THEIR 30’S REGARDING YOUR SPECIALTY? Everything in moderation, including time spent on social media. #1 PIECE OF HEALTH ADVICE FOR PEOPLE IN THEIR 50’S? Remain physically active. MOST MEMORABLE MEDICAL SITUATION? My most memorable medical experiences were the several years that I spent on medical missions with Healing the Children in El Salvador. This was medicine practiced at it’s most basic premise, care of the patient, without the administrative concerns of health insurance and pharmaceutical constraints. YOUR THOUGHTS ON UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE IN SIX WORDS OR LESS: To everything there is a season, it is time. 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? This is extremely necessary, foremost, in primary care. There is a desperate need for physicians in all specialties, but certainly in primary care. This will benefit all. IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME 25 YEARS AND GIVE YOURSELF ONE PIECE OF HEALTH ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? WHY? Drink more water. As a surgeon, with long procedures, I didn’t have time to go to the restroom, so I didn’t drink much water. ARTIST WHOSE MUSIC WE’D HEAR THE MOST IN YOUR WAITING ROOM: Gipsy Kings