On National Doctors Day, we say “Thank You” to our physicians for all that they do for us and our loved ones.
Here at Higgins Insurance, we have started a new education series on some professionals who work in different fields. We will be highlighting them throughout this year and they will range from correctional officers, social workers, doctors, police, nurses, engineers, education support staff, arts, housekeepers, etc.
So we are reaching out to Dr. Jacqueline McKay and Dr. Michael Simon to answer a few questions on becoming physicians.
Here is our interview with Dr. Jacqueline McKay.
Why did you become a Doctor?
I became a doctor because I wanted an interesting job that would allow me to make a difference. I was lucky to have some great mentors in my life that showed me how diverse the medical practice could be.
What has been your most rewarding aspect of your profession?
Seeing a doctor can be scary and unfamiliar for a lot of people; the most rewarding part of my job is when I can offer reassurance, hope, and comfort to people who are in a difficult or painful situation.
What do you say to people who want to become a Doctor?
For people who want to become a physician: it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Do the things you love.
Leave us with a fun fact about your occupation!
Fun facts? The first operating rooms were on the top floors of hospitals – to maximize natural light for operations before electricity was invented. Also, William Osler, the Father of Modern Medicine, was a Canadian.
Why did you become a Doctor?
My father had a huge influence on me becoming a physician. I was exposed to different aspects of the profession at an early age and came to appreciate the complexity of the human body, the numerous diseases and available treatments. Medicine is a profession in which you can never grow bored.
What has been your most rewarding aspect of your profession?
The most rewarding aspect of the profession is found in the small thank-you’s from patients as they leave the office. It’s in the smiles and the handshakes that they offer, the comments they make, and the bond that forms between physician and patient.
What do you say to people who want to become a Doctor?
I tell them that Medicine is a vocation not a job. It can be viewed as a way of life that is constantly evolving––new treatments, new medicines every year. Medicine is a profession that holds tremendous potential to alleviate pain and suffering, but it takes work.
Leave us with a fun fact about your occupation!
Family Medicine spans the entire spectrum of life. I can remember on several occasions delivering a baby in one part of the hospital and, afterwards, walking down to the palliative care ward to pronounce a patient who had just passed away.
We thank you Jacqueline and Michael for taking the time to raise awareness about National Doctors Day and answering questions for people who might be interested in becoming a doctor.
Higgins Insurance has been protecting families since 1993. You can reach us 1 866 273 2911.