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Quick Facts:
St. Louis - South
Why did you get into health care and how did you end up in critical care?
When I was 7 years old, I chose to dress as a doctor for a costume party, and that’s really where it started. As a kid, I knew doctors could change the course of people’s lives for the better. As I got into medicine, it became a matter of “How can I solve problems? How can I help people? How do I apply the science?” That all led me to critical care, specifically pulmonary critical care. My first experience in the intensive care unit was a bit scary with so many challenges addressing an entire disease process in such a short amount of time. But being a bit uncomfortable was part of the attraction. I was drawn in by the organized chaos, learning how to calm others in a crisis, and having the tools to manage the entire body and not just a single organ system. I also get the chance to work together with families to meet the patient’s needs and goals.
What drew your interest in joining Mercy?
I moved to St. Louis in 2010 for my pulmonary and critical care fellowship with Saint Louis University. Mercy Hospital St. Louis was one of the hospitals affiliated with the program. Once I started working there, I discovered it was a great fit where I enjoyed the challenges Mercy provided. So, I made a point to schedule as much of my fellowship as I could at Mercy. From a personal perspective, I have been part of Catholic institutions my entire life, so it was good to be part of a Catholic belief system. God has a plan and Catholic health care has been an important part of His plan for me. When my attending physician at Mercy St. Louis moved to Mercy Springfield to lead their critical care program, I took the opportunity to stay with Mercy and join him there in 2013 after completing my fellowship. Not only did I get to serve patients in the way I wanted, I served on the Mercy Health Foundation Springfield board to support the greater community. Giving back is a big part of what I do and what Mercy does; being part of the Mercy team gives me that chance to give back.
Why did you choose to move to Mercy South?
Joining Mercy South was a calling where a lot of things aligned. My wife and I had some of our happiest times in St. Louis and wanted to move back here. Getting to do that while staying with Mercy made this an even easier decision for us. Everyone at Mercy South has made me feel welcome, and I have been able to relate with the people here. It all feels so familiar and is a great fit. I’m excited for the opportunity to join the team and do great things together.
Can you tell us a little about your personal life? What are you looking forward to personally as a returning St. Louis resident?
My wife, Martha, and I have three children. Our son, Mayrol, is 17; our daughter, Emma, is 11; and our daughter, Mia, is 9. I’m really looking forward to the food. I know there’s diverse gastronomy here to enjoy along with diverse communities to experience. With all the major sports teams here, I’m excited that my kids will get the chance to be part of a large, roaring crowd at the big events. And there are so many new experiences awaiting my children. I can’t wait for us to discover it all.
