role model
Debra Brand

Emergency Physician

Debra Brand

I am:  inquisitive, intuitive, living life

What I do:  I work as a doctor in the emergency department of a hospital. There is group of us, but we work one at a time, so there is only one doctor working, caring for all of the patients that walk in the door.  We are The Captain of the Ship: directing the nurses and other staff and secretaries to do what is needed to care for the patients.  I enjoy the challenge of dealing with a variety of medical problems and the many levels I have to work on.

My “career path”:  Although both of my parents were doctors and I had an innate ability in science, I was discouraged from studying medicine.  From college I was first headed towards a graduate degree in Biochemistry, but then realized that a career in laboratory study was not for me.  Then I did a summer course for an elementary education teaching degree, but again knew it was not for me.  I took a job in a hospital lab.  Then a friend of my parents came to visit me, and I told her that I was not enjoying nor feeling fulfilled in my work.  She said, " Of course you are not.  You want to be a doctor."  When she said that, it hit me between the eyes!  I knew that she was right.  I then applied to medical school.  It was as if she, and not my parents, gave me permission to find my dream.

My favorite things outside of work:  I like caring for my house and spending time with friends, swimming for exercise, kayaking, and traveling to far and wonderful places like France and India.  I love the financial independence that my work gives me.  I can do pretty much what I want and choose the relationship I am in -- I don't have to ask for money from someone else for things like buying milk or a blouse or a plane ticket to England!

Tips for a successful girlfuture:

It takes a personal courage to follow your dream.  And if you do not find the courage in yourself, then you spend your life thinking of yourself as a quitter and not courageous!

Do not let other people limit you.

The only things you will regret are the choices and paths you did not follow.
 

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