Every May we honor a special holiday to celebrate motherhood, maternal bonds and the influence of women in society. To celebrate all the wonderful women in our community and beyond, we asked some AAMC employees to share the biggest lessons they still carry from the women who have inspired them.
Here’s what they had to say:
Chad M. Patton, MD, orthopedic surgeon: “My mother taught me that kindness, patience and listening to others goes a long way. My brothers and I are all physicians, and these lessons undoubtedly influence our approach to patient care.”
Jennifer Brady, MD, cardiologist: “I learned from my mom at an early age that while receiving a gift gives instant gratification, the euphoria is short-lived. On the other hand, giving a gift provides a sense of satisfaction that remains for a long time and shapes how we feel about ourselves. My mom needed to draw upon her strengths when at the age of 45 she was diagnosed with a large tumor, which required extensive surgery. The courageous way she endured the arduous process gave me a perspective that has been extremely helpful as a clinician. I am grateful every day to my mom for being such an incredible role-model.”
Kwasi Sharif, MD, pain management physician: “As a registered dietitian nutritionist, my mom has instilled in me the values of healthy eating and exercise. My habits today include exercising at least three times a week and obtaining at least seven hours of sleep each day.”
Joseph Morris, MD, OB-GYN hospitalist: “I lost my dad when I was 12. My mom raised three boys, ages 12, 15 and 17, by herself. All of us went on to become physicians in large part from the lessons we learned from her. One lesson in particular that I remember is that if you want a good friend, be 75 percent of the friend.”
Lauren Fitzpatrick, MD, pediatrician: “The piece of advice that I learned from my mother is always stand up for what is right, even if it is not the popular opinion. Growing up, my mother regularly reminded me to do the right things and not to worry about whether I was liked by others because of it. Those who respected me for doing the right thing were the ones I would want to surround myself with. As a pediatrician, taking care of children can be difficult some days, but doing the right thing for them is always worth it.”
Jo Deaton, senior director, behavioral health: “One of the most influential people in my life has been my friend of 45 years, Donna. We met our first year of college, where I was an unhappy psychology major. Donna was pre-nursing and told me all about nursing. I had never considered that as a career but as I began to investigate, becoming a psychiatric nurse seemed like a good fit. I was 18 years old and Donna was a 26-year-old newly divorced, single mom of three young children. Donna has shown me that if you have a clear goal, you can achieve it regardless of your external circumstances.”
Kay Hoskey, MD, urogynecologist: “As a retired nurse, my mother taught me the value of human connection, the magic of a smile and the importance of understanding a person’s story. It is not always easy to walk in some else’s shoes. Still, these lessons have helped me to connect with friends, patients and strangers alike.”
Lil Banchero, RN, senior director, Institute for Healthy Aging: “I had the wonderful privilege of having two very strong loving females in my life, my dearest gram and my mom. Both smart and brave. I come from a family of four girls, so these two women really were strong advocates for our ability as women to do whatever we wanted. Over the years, they taught me many things. Be yourself. Do your best. Say please and thank you. Keep your word. Treat others the way you would like to be treated. Be independent. Be kind, compassionate and loyal. Do not hold hate in your heart. These are just a few of the many other lessons they taught me that have shaped me as a mother and nurse leader.”
Heather Keats, OTR/L, occupational therapist: “Watching my mother as I was growing up, I learned to work hard and take full advantage of opportunities given to me. As a result, I am able to see the value in putting in the hard work now for the future pay off. This lesson carries over to all aspects of my life including relationships, health and career.”
READ MORE: 6 ways to support a new mom
