Dallas_Medical_Journal_February_2021

Dr. Angela Moemeka February 2021 • DALLAS MEDICAL JOURNAL 9 What inspired you to go into medicine? My grandparents, who raised me, always encouraged me to work hard, do my best, never stop learning, and pursue a career where you can make a difference in the lives of others. I was blessed to have mentors and sponsors in science and medicine who encouraged me to apply to medical school and become not only the first college graduate, but also the first physician in my family. The best part of practicing medicine is… educating patients about anesthesia and being able to allay patient’s fears during the stressful period associated with surgery. If I weren’t a physician, I would be… a food critic. I love to try new cuisines and learn about unique ingredients and the various ways they can be used in food. When I first became a physician I never expected… how much politics can affect the practice of medicine. My favorite movie is… The Blind Side. The book I’m reading now is… Dare to Lead by Brené Brown. My four fantasy dinner guests would be… My grandparents (so that they could meet my daughter), Tchaikovsky, and Debussy (so that we could all listen to beautiful music together). My first job was… working at JC Penny’s in the watch and jewelry repair department. I learned never to open a Rolex! Who do you look up to as a mentor? My strong female physician colleagues and professors who have given me good advice and advocated for me along with way. What is on your bucket list? Traveling to Japan to see the cherry blossoms and eat fresh sushi. Dr. Shaina Drummond Dr. Viralkumar Patel What inspired you to go into medicine? Spending time watching my parents provide medical care in rural Kenya at a young age. The best part of practicing medicine is… always having the opportunity to participate in the life of my patients. As physicians, we usually enter our patients’ lives at their time of greatest need and illness. As we get to know and help manage their illness, we inevitably become a part of their life story. It’s these personal connections that make practicing medicine so fulfilling and exciting. If I weren’t a physician, I would be… a health and life motivation coach. When I first became a physician, I never expected… that my patients would teach me so much more about what it means to live a full life. It’s truly been a most unexpected gift of practicing medicine. My favorite vacation was to… Tanzania. I got to experience the beauty of nature and wildlife in its true uncaged and wild form. My four fantasy dinner guests would be… Sir William Osler, Clara Barton, Elon Musk, and Steve Jobs My first job was… a paper boy in London, England. The most recent TV show I binge watched was… The Boys. What is your favorite app on your phone? Twitter. What is on your bucket list? Skydive over the African plains, win one game of Scrabble against my wife, and get a house on a beach. What inspired you to go into medicine? I was inspired by my pediatrician as a child. My parents played a large role in my interest in medicine. It was my mother who first told me I could and should be a doctor. My father modeled hard work and resilience through his career, which drove me to do the same. The best part of practicing medicine is… being able to support families in keeping kids healthy. If I weren’t a physician, I would be… a kindergarten teacher. When I first became a physician, I never expected… to be on the front lines of a pandemic. My favorite vacation was to… A little seaside town in Connecticut called Mystic. I took my son when he was a preschooler as a quick getaway on a long weekend. It was a fun, spontaneous vacation with lasting memories. My favorite movie is… Goodfellas (I know almost every line). My four fantasy dinner guests would be… My four grandparents at my age. Their stories are incredible ones, and I would truly enjoy spending an evening with them. The most recent TV show I binge watched was… Call the Midwife. What is your favorite app on your phone? My Instagram app followed closely by my Music app. Name a quote that has meaning for you: It’s an anonymous quote I came across in residency: “You can’t go back and make a new beginning, but you can start now and make a new ending.”