I am the first doctor in my family and I decided on this career at an early age. I cannot say I followed a role model - my parents actually tried to discourage me; they were afraid I would cave under the burden of human suffering. I believed I could make it better.

Born and raised in communist Romania, I learned to do homework by candlelight - and read, instead of watching TV. In doing so, I developed a deep respect for knowledge and those who spend their lives pursuing it.

Medical School went by fast, all six years of it; those were exciting times, the beginning of a new democracy, marked by freedom of expression after so many years of silence, and by the exposure to the world outside our borders. And Bucharest was a happening place and a newly found gate to the West.

Soon I found myself graduating  “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in the top 3% of my class, and preparing for the USMLEs. I got married right after my graduation - and Step 1 exam. And followed my husband to Canada the very next year, dog in tow. We lived in Toronto for four happy years. I was pursuing a master’s in Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, and enjoying our friends company for salsa dancing, wine tasting, and rock climbing. 

And then there was time to start my Internal Medicine residency training, so I moved to Chicago and became part of Firm B at Stroger Hospital of Cook County. Thus I tapped into a bonanza of knowledge and challenging cases. During my second year, I added to my schedule an HIV Primary Care Clinic at the Core Center, solidifying my interest and my path towards an Infectious Disease subspecialty training. I joined the ID Program at Rush University Medical Center, and learned that, right when you think you know everything, the next step shows you how much more there is to learn. I became chief fellow in my second year - learning on the go how to coordinate multiple schedules, and accepting that one cannot make everybody happy.

It was good training both for infectious diseases as well as life. Training to handle large number of complex patients, and coordinate rounds, clinics and vacations, came really handy in the ID private practice afterwards. I have been in the said practice for over 15 years now, stationed primarily at St. Mary’s &Elizabeth’s Medical Center. There, I have overseen several projects brought to fruition in my role as Chair of Infection Control and Antimicrobial Stewardship; thus, I could see again and again how much impact a team of committed and diligent people can have in changing the culture of a hospital for the better.

With that being said, the projects I am most proud of are my two daughters: one 13 years old, one 7 years old. Keeping these two healthy and happy, and modeling them into decent human beings, has been another full-time job. Coordinating their schedules, managing their needs - and requests, involves a lot of patience and determination (and interminable “to do “lists).

As I grow in my role - both as a physician and a parent - I am learning that one can inspire and motivate people to do their best. And that is my reward.