When I graduated from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland with a degree in psychology, I had no idea I would eventually become an emergency medicine physician. As a teenager, I developed an interest in how the mind operates and influences our body. It seemed a natural progression to pursue a post-graduate degree and become a psychotherapist. However, with urging from my parents, I took the MCAT and found myself in medical school with the revised plan to become a psychiatrist.

My rotation in the emergency department at Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC changed my path, and led to a residency in this fascinating and ever-changing field. Over the years, I have found my skills in psychology invaluable in interacting with patients with psychiatric disorders, as well as with meeting the emotional needs of patients and their families. I’ve practiced emergency medicine in Baltimore, Los Angeles, Orlando, and for the past eight years, in Houston. My first freestanding emergency center (FEC) experience at a St. Luke’s facility in The Woodlands in 2010 showed me how efficiently these centers can operate with rapid patient assessment, disposition, and positive satisfaction for everyone involved. I felt free to spend more time with my patients explaining my assessment of their condition, why certain tests were ordered, and what the results meant.

In 2011, I partnered with four fellow ER docs to open Priority Emergency Room in Katy. The following year, we opened another facility in The Woodlands.

Wearing my administrative, as well as clinical hat, has been eye opening and gratifying. Hospital ERs have a hierarchy and can be slower moving than doctors and patients would like when it comes to responding to concerns and changing policies. The beauty of owning a FSED is that you are the hierarchy and can make decisions and implement new policy quickly and without the delays that frustrate patients and staff.

The challenges of managing/operating stand-alone emergency centers are not much different than what owners of any medium to large size company face. Much of what is needed has little to do with your medical skills and everything to do with your administrative ones. Leadership is critical and sets the tone for how services are delivered.

I recall when TAFEC was formed, and I told my partners that we definitely wanted to be a part of this organization. Back when we started, the support systems for ER docs in the business were few and far between. There was a much more competitive edge. It has been great to keep abreast of news in the FSED world and get to know other doctors. Since its inception, TAFEC has grown to become a leading force for industry information, support and calls to action with our lawmakers.

My career as an emergency physician has taken me to many cities and afforded me amazing opportunities. Beyond practicing emergency medicine, I’ve been a medical reporter for CBS in Los Angeles, and NBC in Baltimore. I’ve also hosted television shows on Lifetime, PBS and had recurring guest appearances on shows such as Oprah, Montel and John Walsh. I’m most proud of the six years I hosted “Keeping Kids Healthy” for which I won four Emmy Awards. Not quite what I envisioned over 20 years ago when I became on ER doc, but I remain grateful and blessed for every moment.