Why gastroenterology (GI)?
I chose GI because of the variety. Not only am I in the office, but I’m also treating acutely ill patients in the hospital and performing procedures every day. Early in residency I noticed most GI patients would do what you tell them because they can feel their symptoms and want to get rid of them (bloating, gas, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn). It’s very different, from say, cardiology because with heart conditions, you often can’t feel high cholesterol or high blood pressure, so patients aren’t always willing to follow recommendations. What’s your greatest worry in healthcare? My greatest concern with healthcare right now is that many people do not seek out care because of the cost. This puts some people in grave danger, especially if they are having symptoms (rectal bleeding, weight loss, vomiting). I am seeing younger and younger patients with colon cancer who are screened too late (Stage IV) because of money issues. It’s a shame. Tell us about your family: Medicine runs in
