Embracing the Journey: Leadership, Medicine, and the Power of Persistence
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My journey to becoming a physician was anything but conventional. Before I ever set foot in medical school, I had a degree in finance, worked in pharmaceutical sales, and managed logistics at General Motors. I was married, then divorced, and had to rebuild my life from scratch. But through it all, I held onto a vision—a clear picture of where I was meant to be.
Now, as a practicing neurologist and Chief Medical Officer (CMO), I’ve learned that success isn’t just about talent or intelligence. It’s about persistence, resilience, and the willingness to take bold action. In this article, I’ll share lessons from my career, from breaking into medicine through an unconventional path to thriving in hospital leadership. Whether you’re navigating setbacks or stepping into leadership yourself, my hope is that you walk away feeling empowered to carve your own path.
The Power of Vision: Seeing Your Future Before It Happens
If there’s one thing that has guided me throughout my career, it’s the power of vision. My father instilled this in me from a young age—he taught me to wake up and before I got out of bed, envision what I wanted for that day, goals I wanted to accomplish, to see it in my mind first.
When I decided I wanted to become a doctor, I didn’t just think about it once and move on. I took action that reinforced my belief. I would walk the halls of St. Louis University, where I wanted to attend medical school, imagining myself as a student there. I went so often that the security guard eventually stopped questioning why I was there.
Even when I didn’t get into medical school on my first or second try, I never let go of the vision. Instead of taking rejection as a sign to quit, I asked myself: What’s the next step? That mindset led me to a post-baccalaureate program, which eventually got me accepted into medical school.
If you have a goal, make it real in your mind first. Then, reinforce it with action—whether that’s networking with people in your field, visualizing success, or actively positioning yourself for opportunities.
Building a Strong Support System
One of the biggest game-changers in my journey was surrounding myself with the right people. When I was in pharmaceutical sales, I started meeting Black women physicians—women who looked like me, who were doing what I dreamed of doing.
It started with one introduction. Then that person introduced me to another, and another. Before I knew it, my entire circle had shifted. Being surrounded by successful physicians made me believe it was possible for me, too.
Many women struggle to find these kinds of networks, especially in male-dominated fields like medicine. My advice? Don’t be afraid to walk up to someone and introduce yourself. At the end of the day, people are just people.
Actionable Tip
Actively seek out mentors and peers. Whether in-person or online, build a network of people who inspire and support you.
Engage in professional communities. Join organizations, attend conferences, and participate in groups where people are doing what you aspire to do.
Thriving in a Male-Dominated Environment
Before medicine, I worked at General Motors as a logistics manager—an industry dominated by men. I had to navigate a culture where people questioned my authority simply because of who I was.
One of the best pieces of advice my father gave me was: "Don’t take any wooden nickels off anybody." Translation? Don’t take anyone’s nonsense.
That experience taught me:
Stand your ground. People will try to test you—especially as a woman in leadership. Hold your ground and demand respect.
Know your value. You don’t have to prove your worth to anyone. Let your work and knowledge speak for itself.
Develop thick skin. Not everyone will be on your side, and that’s okay. Keep moving forward.
These lessons have carried over into my role as interim CMO. In leadership, you will always encounter drama, politics, and resistance—but at the end of the day, your job is to stay focused on the bigger picture.
Actionable Tip
Don’t be afraid to take up space. Speak up in meetings, challenge outdated practices, and assert yourself in leadership roles.
Separate emotions from decisions. Leadership isn’t about making people happy—it’s about making the best choices for your team and patients.
Taking Ownership of Your Career (and Your Worth)
My transition into hospital leadership happened because I refused to accept the status quo.
As a neurologist, I started noticing inconsistencies in our billing. Our department was being told we weren’t seeing enough patients—but I knew that wasn’t true. Instead of complaining, I investigated. I analyzed the data, identified the gaps, and uncovered major billing errors that were costing the hospital money.
That initiative led me to improve the hospital’s revenue rankings from the 30th to the 70th percentile—and it also launched my leadership career.
The lesson? No one is going to hand you opportunities. You have to create them. Instead of waiting for leadership to fix the problems I saw, I stepped up and became the solution.
Actionable Tip:
Be curious and proactive. If something isn’t working, ask why—and then find ways to fix it.
Own your expertise. Stop doubting whether you belong in leadership. If you see a problem, take the lead in solving it.
Balancing Leadership, Medicine, and Motherhood
For a long time, I resisted giving up clinical hours because I loved seeing patients. But trying to balance a full-time neurology practice AND a full-time administrative role led to burnout. At one point, my productivity was 215%—meaning I was doing more than two full-time jobs.
I had to learn: You can do it all—but not all at once.
Now, I’ve found a sustainable balance that allows me to practice medicine while making a meaningful impact as a leader. Most importantly, I make sure that my family doesn’t get the leftovers of my energy.
I still have time to play Barbies with my daughter, and sometimes, those dolls even come to “staff meetings” with me. Because at the end of the day, success isn’t just about titles or promotions—it’s about building a life that aligns with your values.
Actionable Tip
Prioritize what matters. You don’t have to say yes to everything. Focus on the roles that truly fulfill you.
Let go of perfection. You don’t have to be superwoman. Set realistic boundaries and protect your time.
Conclusion: Failure is Part of the Process
If I could leave you with one final thought, it’s this: Failure is not the opposite of success—it’s part of it.
I didn’t get into medical school the first or second time. I failed my boards the first time. I got divorced. But every single setback was a stepping stone to something greater.
Had I been accepted to medical school on my first try, I wouldn’t have gained the resilience that serves me today. Had my first marriage not ended, I wouldn’t have met my husband, who is the love of my life. Every challenge shaped me into the person I am now.
Whatever setbacks you’re facing, know this: They are not the end of your story. They are simply part of your journey.
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