Doctors provide insight into their world.

Dr. Julie Wei
Pediatric Otolaryngology

“I wish I could tell myself early on to not be so self-assured. Early in a physician/surgeon’s practice, one is naturally focused on one’s abilities and believes that we can ‘fix’ anything. The longer I practice and more experience I have, I am much more humbled by all the factors that influence a patient’s care and outcome, which I can’t control.”

Dr. Vipul Patel
Urology

“I like to be involved in all aspects of patient care and committing to clinical excellence. I also enjoy the opportunity to engage in surgical innovation.”

Dr. Diane D. Davey
Pathology

“I started shadowing pathology faculty early on and also reviewed pathology cases on my patients—this was back when frozen sections were frequent during surgery. I am a very visual person and loved looking through the microscope.”

Dr. Jeffrey E. Baylor
Otolaryngology

“I know it’s trite, but getting a heartfelt thank you from a patient is always the best reward. There aren’t many jobs where you can directly improve another person’s life. It’s human nature to dwell on the negatives associated with any job, but sometimes all it takes is one patient’s story about why their life is now better because of something I did, to remind me why I do what I do.”

Dr. Nora A. Erhart
Pediatric Gastroenterology

“I have always found gratification in working with chronically ill patients. I love the psychosocial aspects of patient care. I am a problem solver and strive to help children with chronic medical problems reach their full potential and enjoy a normal quality of life.”

Dr. Nicholas G. Avgeropoulos
Neurology

“I enjoy listening to live music in either lively or more intimate settings. I love playing my guitar and watching some good science fiction, too.”

Dr. C. Durham Barnes
Ophthalmology

“I wish I’d more fully understood the coming magnitude of government involvement in healthcare [at the onset of my career]. It has greatly affected the way doctors work and the patients’ access to medical care and treatment.”

Dr. Maria L. Cannarozzi
Internal Medicine

“The most rewarding aspect of my work is to be such an important part of the lives of my patients. I am privileged to know their fears and needs, and to work with them on issues that are really important and matter in their lives. Getting to know people and be a part of their lives is an incredible gift and privilege.”

Dr. David Nykanen
Cardiologist

“The field of pediatric interventional cardiology has been evolving in real time over the course of my career. If I knew what I know now, it would take all the innovative excitement out of watching this subspecialty develop. I am not convinced I would change a thing.”

Dr. Judith Seline Simms-Cendan
Obstetrics and Gynecology

“My practice gives me a unique opportunity to help adolescent girls really understand their health. It’s very rewarding to see the appreciation teens have for honesty and openness during an especially vulnerable time in their development into adulthood.”

Dr. Susan desJardins
Pediatric Cardiology

“I decided to become a doctor when I was 3, and never changed! I chose pediatric cardiology because I found it so intuitive and creative—some of the pediatrics residents thought it was complicated, but to me, it just always made so much sense.”

Dr. Theresa Carducci
Obstetrics and Gynecology

“It’s a small community, and I love what I do. I’m going to practice as long as I can, because it’s rewarding to me to be able to deliver these people’s babies and see them as a family—the mother comes to me, the daughter comes to me, the cousin comes to me. I like that part of my job.”