| My life started in the mid-west, the true mid-west as we always
liked to think of ourselves. I was born in Kansas City, Kansas at
the University of Kansas Medical Center. Maybe there was something
prophetic about that. I am the eldest of seven, four girls and three
boys. My mother was a stay-at-home mom while I was growing up, although
she later began working when I left for college, and continues to
work at the same job, full-time, at age 73. My father was a medical
research lab technician and is now retired. Three brothers and one
sister are various types of engineers, one sister is a musician
(violin and piano) and one sister is an executive secretary. And
believe me we did come from the same two parents! My siblings and
I were raised in Kansas City, Missouri. Our lives were fairly straightforward
because school and anything related to it was the ultimate priority
for my parents, and church was next. Enough said.
I came to California at age 17 to “see the world.” I ended
up meeting a guy from Oakland who I thought WAS “the world.”
We’ve been married almost 32 years. Think I’ll keep him
a while longer. We settled in a family neighborhood and raised two
children, a boy and a girl, and they have managed to make us proud.
Had the dog – 17 years. My hobbies and interests include but
are not limited to: reading (mostly fiction, involved mysteries
or dramas with unusual characters and depth of character development);
nature walks; genealogy; and music.
My life just gets better and better, both professionally and personally.
Being a young adult in the 60s/70s was great. I learned tolerance,
intolerance of narrowmindedness, the power of group action, social
responsibility and spirituality. The 80s were great. I learned parenting
and understood and forgave my own parents. I hoped the learning
curve didn’t forever screw up my own kids too much. Career
development was challenging and sometimes fun. In the 90s I learned
how truly wonderful being in medicine can be. The continuing intellectual
challenge, the ability to augment and change career paths, the collegial
support, and on and on. I don’t understand “burnout”
in the medical field. There are so many choices and opportunities.
What I like best about the Advisory College – the students!
Each one of you is so unique and special. I am amazed at the rainbow
of backgrounds, talents, personalities, interests, and experiences
that you bring to this profession. There are no pat answers, no
single way to guide and advise that works for everyone. I enjoy
getting to know each and every one of you as special individuals
and I want to support your success throughout the four years we
will be together.
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