7 Quick Questions with Ina Stephens, UVA Pediatrician

a pediatrician at UVA Youngsters’s Hospital, Doctor Ina Stephenshelps kids develop as wholesome as potential. It’s also authorized by the board of administrators. pediatric infectious diseases. He makes use of this particular information to assist kids with extreme, complicated and strange infections.

Meet a Charlottesville Pediatrician

We requested Stephens to reply our 7 fast questions.

1. What has most affected and formed your method to affected person care?

I believe this can be a two means reply. First, I grew to become fascinated about drugs and affected person care after I was most likely 13, working in my father’s observe. My father was a dermatologist. However he was far more than that. Actually half the time he sat and simply listened to the affected person. Even when they arrive with, in their very own phrases, “nearly nothing”.

And his sufferers would inform me that my father was essentially the most unimaginable particular person to hearken to them. I realized to actually hearken to sufferers from him. As a result of they’ve the solutions and so they know what occurred to them. Should you actually hearken to the affected person, you know the way to deal with them.

Second, I’ve had my very own issues with being sick. I do know when a physician takes excellent care of me, treats me effectively, and listens to me, and when not. And I believe that has modified and helped my method to caring for sufferers, in addition to their caregivers, their households, and their mother and father.

2. What’s your favourite a part of your job?

I really like educating sufferers, educating them what’s mistaken or what I really feel is mistaken with them, in order that they perceive their illness course of, the place it comes from, and the right way to heal themselves. As well as, to coach medical college students, assistants, students and junior school members. And I really like this a part of my job. I really feel I can supply loads and I take pleasure in it.

3. What’s your greatest concern if you find yourself sick?

I’ve been sick many occasions. And my greatest concern just isn’t having a physician who listens to me. Not feeling effectively with the crises, I went to the emergency room. I’ve run into issues in physician’s workplaces and they’re targeted on their points and so they do not hearken to the particular person as an entire and a few issues have been missed and it is a tough expertise. That is why I believe my greatest concern just isn’t being listened to. That is why I attempt to do that for my sufferers.

4. What do you do to alleviate stress?

Eliminating stress is a extremely vital a part of my life. I’m a licensed yoga instructor and therapist and a licensed private coach. I’ve been meditating for over 30 years. It is a every day a part of my life. I meditate twice a day and observe deep respiratory methods known as pranayama. This helps me focus and calms my nervous system. I observe each day on my yoga mat and it’s a essential a part of my day.

5. Canine or cats?

Oh, cat. I really like my cat. I really feel like a cat communicates by being very quiet and listening.

6. Which film did you watch final? Thumbs up or down?

I have not been to the films these days. However I am watching a collection known as Genius on Amazon Prime. Possibly that counts? Season 1 is all about Einstein, season 2 is Picasso, season 3 is Aretha Franklin. We’re proper in the course of Einstein, and it is completely fascinating. You understand that irrespective of how genius you’re, everyone seems to be human. And everybody has human flaws and everybody has classes to be taught of their life, and Einstein actually was. This can be a fascinating story.

7. What’s the most effective recommendation you’ve got ever heard?

Two issues instantly emerge. The primary comes from my father. I’ve stated this again and again to my children, and I say it to myself. He all the time stated, “Ina, don’t be concerned, simply research”.

As a result of I’d completely fear myself a few scenario. You’ll be able to take this little quote and apply it to something. Don’t fret, simply really feel. Don’t fret, simply stay within the second and deal with it. This was an important and easy little remark I realized from my father. And that is what I all the time inform myself.

Secondly, I got here throughout it just lately and I actually liked it. I printed it out and put it in my kitchen. That is “Comparability is the thief of all pleasure.” It’s a quote. I believe that is actually vital as a result of individuals have a tendency to check themselves to others. You all the time look the opposite means. The grass is greener on the opposite aspect. Or another person has one thing I haven’t got. And this can be a thief and a thief of your individual pleasure.

Should you cease this comparability, you’re happy with what you may have. And I believe satisfaction is such an amazing advantage. And if we could be happy, then it doesn’t matter what you do, you’re glad.