How many kids do you have and what are their ages?
I have one girl, age 2.
How did you end up in Stamford?
While I was in residency training in Long Island, my husband was working in Stamford as an estimator with a construction firm. We lived in Queens so he did the commute north and I made the commute out east. I swore to myself that when I graduated, I would try to look for a position with a shorter commute. Tri-state traffic can be killer! As an obstetrician, I didn’t want to have to travel far to deliver a patient in the middle of the night. So I found a position with my current practice that delivers out of Greenwich Hospital!
What do you love about Stamford?
I grew up in Queens, so I’m used to the hustle and bustle. I love Stamford’s proximity to New York City, but I also love not having to go very far to explore great food and events. At some point during my 20’s ,I got sick of being elbow-to-elbow going to a free outdoor concert or community event. There’s always an abundance of things to do on the weekend here in Stamford!
What’s your favorite restaurant in Stamford?
I haven’t found a favorite restaurant yet because I’m still exploring! Here are a few though: Layla’s (their Jerusalem falafel is amazing) and Adyar Ananda Bhavan (great dosas). Also really looking forward to going to Mecha Noodle Bar now that it’s open in Stamford. You can tell I love to eat.
What’s your favorite thing to do when you need some “me time”?
Relax, relax, relax. I’m one of those people that can just enjoy doing nothing on an off day. Ideally it would be under an umbrella on a beach, but if I can’t make it out, I’m happy to stay on the couch.
Tell us about your career as an OBGYN.
I remember the first day of medical school we had to write down one specialty we definitely wanted to pursue and one specialty we definitely DIDN’T want to. Funny enough, I wrote down OBGYN as the specialty I didn’t want! I have no idea why – in college I was a women’s health peer counselor discussing STD testing, birth control, intimate partner violence. So I’ve loved working in women’s health for a very long time.
It’s been an amazing journey. Residency was four of the most grueling years of my life, 24 hour calls, 12 hour days. You see your co-residents more than you see your own family. But it defined me as a doctor and it was also where I met lifetime friends (fellow residents). I don’t think I’ll ever forget those experiences. Practicing as an attending, every day brings something different. I really enjoy having to take care of women of all ages, for all sorts of issues related to women’s health from adolescence to my postmenopausal patients.
What’s the best thing about your job?
What I love most about my job is getting thank you cards from patients. Seriously, I love when a patient drops off those delivery announcement cards with a note attached.
What’s your biggest piece of advice to moms who are expecting?
For those expecting moms who feel anxious or scared, I always tell them, remember that billions of women have done this before you. So you can do it too. Also the Internet is an amazing resource, but it can also be your worst enemy.
How did becoming a mom impact your relationship with your patients?
The sleep deprivation and the constant process of questioning yourself (Am I doing the right thing for my child?) all while juggling a healthy relationship with your spouse and trying to do the best you can in your career, can be a huge havoc on your mental health. I talk about that more with patients now that I’ve experienced it. We’re all just trying to survive out here!
How do you juggle your career and mommyhood?
With lots of support! In the last 2 years I’ve learned: family is key, my husband is forever patient, and my daughter’s daycare teachers are so lovely. No one can do it alone, it really does take a village. So in this time when we may not have that inherent support at all times, we just have to create our own village.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another mom?
My friend directed me toward the Wonder Weeks app. It’s an app based off of the book “The Wonder Weeks” which describes the mental development of an infant in their first year. The theory posited by the doctors writing the book is that babies go through ten mental leaps in additional to their physical milestones and during these leaps, you may notice that they are more fussy or clingy. It kept me sane through the first year and I recommend it to my new moms.