An inside interview with LocateADoc.com
Describe the most rewarding experience that you have had working with a patient?
I consulted with a patient who has a rare disorder called hemifacial atrophy. The condition causes degeneration of the soft tissues on one side of the face leading to disfigurement and poor self-esteem. After seeing many doctors and being told several times that nothing could be done, I suggested we try injections of Sculptra, a soft tissue filler that is also used to help HIV patients with facial wasting. After a series of 5 treatments, the patient's face was perfectly symmetric and all visible traces of the condition were eliminated. The patient told me that I had truly "changed her life". Her experience is being chronicled in a paper that will hopefully be published in the medical literature.
What is your charity organization of choice and why?
I have been a proud volunteer for the American Cancer Society for over 15 years. The American Cancer Society raises money to fund cancer research and provides a variety of support services to cancer victims and their families. My specific contributions have included conducting free skin cancer screenings, lecturing about skin cancer prevention and detection to businesses and organizations, and participating in fund raisers (Relay for Life and Evening of Hope Gala). In 2000, I was awarded a Cancer Control Volunteer of the Year award by the Southeast Division.
What makes your specialties the right fields of medicine for you?
My specialty in cosmetic surgery has been a process of personal and professional evolution. As a medical student, my attending physicians felt that my talents were best suited for a career as an internist. Having personally suffered with significant acne as teenager, I have always been intrigued by dermatology. During the second year of my medicine residency, I decided to apply for a dermatology fellowship. During my fellowship, I was drawn toward the surgical aspects of dermatology and trained along with plastic surgery fellows in skin cancer clinic. It was here that I acquired the skills to perform more advanced surgical techniques. Though I no longer formally practice internal medicine, my training in this field has provided me with invaluable skills for medically managing my surgical patients.
Finish this sentence: If I weren't a doctor I would be___.
A musician. Outside the office, my favorite activity is attending live musical performances. I have a wide range of tastes ranging from classical music to classic rock. Inside the office, I enjoy listening to music in the operating room and since my patients are awake during surgery, I let them bring their own CD's or chose their favorite radio station. I played keyboards in my high school jazz band and also in the Emory Jazz Ensemble during college. Music is truly the soundtrack of my life!
When (your age) did you first realize you wanted to become a surgeon? And did you experience anything in particular to motivate you to achieve this prestigious goal?
During my clinical years at medical school, I was encouraged by my attendings to chose an internal medicine residency.
What is your favorite procedure to perform and why?
My favorite procedure is tumescent (local anesthesia) liposuction. I have been performing liposuction for over 10 years, and during this time period the technique has evolved and improved dramatically. Instead of using large bore canulas that are manually operated, we now have thin canulas that are attached to a power driven handle. The newer technique shortens the duration of the procedure, allows for minimal post-operative discomfort and down time, and provides a smoother contour. We also offer two non-surgical treatments that can be used alone or in conjunction with liposuction; VelaSmooth which specifically targets cellulite, and body Thermage which tightens lax skin. With the availability of all of these tools, the art and science of body contouring has been taken to a new level of possibility.
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