June 2021 • DALLAS MEDICAL JOURNAL 11
ed a 500-pound patient, a feat in its own
right, but even more impressive because
she could barely fit in the cramped space
at the head of the bed.”
As an emergency physician at JPS
Health Network in Fort Worth and Baylor
University Medical Center in Dallas, Dr.
Ho understands the physical and emotional
challenges doctors face. She has
experienced the ups and downs – the good
days and the bad – and understands how
extremely taxing the job can be.
Doctors tend to be somewhat esoteric,
and the tendency to internalize serves
to reinforce that disconnect. It’s difficult
not to take stress home at the end of the
day, but the innocence and joy inherent in
children can serve as an antidote.
“It’s gratifying to hear how kids have
responded to the book and its characters,”
Dr. Ho said. “Some Dr. Mommies have
sent videos of their children dressed up
in scrubs saying they are superheroes,
too! One shared with me that her toddler
insists that she read the book to her every
time she heads off to work.”
Dr. Ho had a very specific vision for the
book, and she was determined to stick
with it. It was important to her that it be
medically accurate and true to life – even
down to the illustration of a patient wearing
classic hospital socks. For that reason,
she chose to self-publish the book.
“It was a great opportunity for me to
work with my husband on a passion project,”
Dr. Ho said. “He is so supportive of
me and contributed a lot to the project in
terms of logistics. There’s very little common
ground in our careers – he’s focused
on technology and automation – so it was
a great experience for both of us.”
The book’s depictions of life in health
care are brimming with fun references and
give adults a chance to share their love
of medicine with their kids. It served to
do the same for Dr. Ho’s husband, who
appreciated learning more about her work
and the many challenges she faces.
The two interviewed a number of illustrators
of children’s books, ultimately
choosing a woman from South America
who understood the book’s message and
had an appealing whimsical style.
“I believe in the power of storytelling,”
Dr. Ho said. “And this has been a fun story
to tell! It’s helped me work through work/
life balance issues and to validate my belief
that women really can have it all!” DMJ
Dr. Amy Ho is an emergency physician
and published writer, speaker, and media
personality. Learn more about her online
at: https://amyfaithho.com/. Is Mommy a
Doctor or Superhero? is available on Amazon
and at www.doctormommybook.com
Dr. Amy
Faith Ho,
DCMS
member
since
2010.
If you missed a previous DCMS Connect event, you can visit our website
to access them and receive CME. Past virtual events include Successful
Provider and Payer Contract Negotiations, Road to Practice Recovery: A
Guide for Reopening Your Practice Post COVID-19, Healthcare, Remixed:
2021 and Beyond with ZDoggMD, and more!
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