Pediatric Endocrinology

HAS THE AVAILABILITY OF HEALTH-RELATED INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET HELPED OR HARMED THE WAY PATIENTS SEEK CARE? I firmly believe that making health related decisions in conjunction with my patients is very important, and information obtained from the internet can potentially be helpful. However, some of the information can be misleading and one of my roles as a physician is to help clarify this info and help patients and families understand the goals of their 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? Obviously hydration is very important to health and any water source can work well as long as they don’t have artificial ingredients or sugars. #1 PIECE OF HEALTH ADVICE FOR PEOPLE IN THEIR 30’S REGARDING YOUR SPECIALTY? Keeping a body in motion breeds health. Therefore, keep moving and never stop learning new ways to stay active. #1 PIECE OF HEALTH ADVICE FOR PEOPLE IN THEIR 50’S? Try to make one choice every day to improve your health for that day, because it’s easier than trying to change everything at once. MOST MEMORABLE MEDICAL SITUATION? On a ski slope with a chair lift of people as a captive audience directly overhead. WHAT FORTHCOMING TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT IN YOUR AREA OF SPECIALTY ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT? Advancement of glucose monitors and insulin delivery devices are changing the lives of patients allowing for autonomy and greater freedom. YOUR THOUGHTS ON UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE IN SIX WORDS OR LESS: Everyone deserves access to healthcare, but... 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? In a state like New Mexico which has a scarcity of healthcare providers, an increase of physicians in the future could only be helpful for patient care. IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME 25 YEARS AND GIVE YOURSELF ONE PIECE OF HEALTH ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Don’t stress so much about the little things in life; calm and happiness bring healthiness. MOST REALISTIC MEDICAL SHOW ON TELEVISION, PAST OR PRESENT? Although many of the medical shows are fun to watch, I haven’t watched many that are truly accurate, which I suppose makes sense since they are produced for the art of entertainment. THIS IS THE ONE ARTIST WHOSE MUSIC WE’D HEAR THE MOST IN YOUR WAITING ROOM: I don’t think I could pick just one. My main Spotify playlist has music that ranges from Harry Connick Jr. to Chance the Rapper.

ALSO IN THE TOP 3 FOR PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY: Ellen Kaufman (retired), Deborah Zamora