Academic title: Professor of pediatrics; associate professor of internal medicine; division director of pediatric cardiology, physiology and cell biology
Joined the USA College of Medicine faculty: 2014, but I have been an adjunct faculty member while in private practice since 2000.
What does your position in the USA COM entail?
Taking care of kids with heart problems, but also teaching students and residents about pediatric cardiology and hopefully how to be a more caring doctor. I also sing cardiology versions of Post Malone and Lizzo songs and make Dr. Fun's Dance Party USA dance videos for our YouTube channel.
What is your favorite or most rewarding part of your position?
Three things: when a parent wants to take a picture of me with their baby, when a toddler stops crying because they're mesmerized by my throwing their shoe back and forth to a resident/student (though one time I got hit in the head when I wasn't expecting the shoe to come back), and when learners have an "Aha!" moment during class or clinic.
Are you involved in research or other initiatives in the College of Medicine?
After seven years of doing free ECG screenings through Heart for Athletes (over 2,600 students served), I finally submitted the research paper on June 7! I'm also working with Amy Cockrell and the administration of Children’s & Women’s to become a Project ADAM affiliate and help area schools be better prepared to deal with sudden cardiac arrests on their campuses.
What is your advice for medical students?
The old me would immediately say suck it up and crack open a book! (I wanted to print a version of that on a T-shirt for CVR, but Dr. Taylor wouldn't let me.) I now realize that students haven't read textbooks in years. I still feel that you have to build your foundation of knowledge from something before you start ripping through question banks and flashcards, so my advice is to put in the time reading and understanding the material. Chew it up and swallow it instead of simply memorizing associations that you'll forget in a couple of weeks. The best way to learn something is to give a lecture on it. Also, take time for fun every chance you get. Medicine should not be your entire life, or you'll be a pretty boring (and burned-out) person.
What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?
Reading old medical textbooks ... I'm kidding! I knit and sew a fair amount of the clothes I wear, and I'm addicted to my NordicTrack. I did a Tough Mudder and a Spartan race in my 40s, and I am working up to my first half-marathon this fall. I also enjoy dancing.
