You Are Helping!

I initially went into medicine because I wanted to be able to fix something. I had broken my ankle in high school, and I thought that it was incredible that there were people who could fix my broken bones and allow me to return to ballet, which I loved.

In medical school, I made the decision to go into family medicine. Anyone who had watched me throughout my life could have told you that I am more of a primary care doctor than a surgeon, and I have learned over the years that there is nothing more powerful than partnering with people across their lifetime--through the good and the bad, just walking the path. I still value people who can fix things; I have benefited again from a great orthopedic surgeon who facilitated my returning to yoga, which I love. Yet, there are many things that we cannot fix. 

Some of you are looking for ways to help, as am I. Everything seems inadequate and not enough, not surprisingly since that is where I go when stressed. Here is how each of us can help:

• Check in with people you know. 
• Encourage them to continue to heed shelter-in-place recommendations. 
• Share that we are all in this together. I have found that a burden was lifted when I shared with others that I was scared and overwhelmed. I am in good company.

So, I return to what I know. There are many things for which we have no cure, things that we cannot yet fix. I know that prevention helps. This is hard, and it IS making a difference. We must keep at it. Stay safe!