40 | HealthLinksSC.com MEN WI N HEALTH If you could give one piece of advice to your patients in regard to their health, what would it be? I would advise my patients to prioritize the time to take care of themselves. My patients always say, “I’ve put off this exam because of my children,” “I had to take care of my parents” or “I am just so busy.” And, of course, it’s true. We are busy. Routine care and screening, however, can prevent simple things from progressing to life-altering diagnoses. Briefly discuss a common misconception about your profession that you would like to refute. In the era of social media, misinformation and misconceptions around health care are ever present. I feel that, if used correctly, social media can be a great resource for patient education. When patients make health care decisions based on an influencer’s recommendation without further investigation, it’s dangerous. I hope patients know that a good provider will answer questions and appreciate your research while working with you to develop a safe care plan that works for you and your goals. Offer three adjectives to describe your journey to becoming the doctor you are today. Tough. Exciting. Rewarding. Becoming a practicing physician is really tough – you sacrifice years of missing special occasions and working long hours to hone your skill. Throughout the journey, however, these spectacular moments are sprinkled in where you find yourself questioning, “Is this real? This is my job?” The impact that you can have on someone’s life is amazing. How do you envision your practice in the next 10 years? I hope to be just as excited to go to work as I am now. As a new provider, meeting new patients – knowing that I may take care of them throughout many phases of life – is exciting. My more seasoned partners talk about how fun it is to see patients for their annual exam and catch up with them about the children they’ve delivered years prior. I look forward to having that connection. What's your way to recharge or prevent burnout? Just living in Charleston is a great way to prevent burnout. With the mild weather and the beach nearby, I love spending time outside by the water. There are also countless group fitness gyms to try – my favorite way to be active. When I need to refuel, I love trying new restaurants and wine bars, particularly those with great patio spaces. Describe a moment when you knew you were in the right career in the right place. Shortly after joining East Cooper OBGYN this fall, I was in a new obstetrics appointment with my first pregnant patient and her partner. Witnessing their overwhelming joy when we saw the ultrasound and heard the heartbeat of her first baby, I knew I was right where I was supposed to be. Please share advice you would give, as a mentor, to women new to the health field. My advice for women new to the health field is to be kind to everyone you meet. Say “thank you.” It doesn’t matter their title, your title or how tired you are – be kind and be appreciative. Health care is a team sport, and people will be more inclined to help you succeed if you are generally pleasant to be around. Alexandra Stiles, M.D. EAST COOPER OB/GYN eastcoopermedicalgroup.com " Be kind to everyone you meet. " Photo by Jenn Cady.
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