Dr. Jacobs and Dr. Patterson are a match made in medical school. The duo met while pursuing a career in anesthesiology. They both connected through a shared interest in pharmacology and physiology with a passion for the hands-on task of caring for patients and are now happily married.
Dr. Patterson's passion for healthcare runs deep, rooted in family. Growing up, she witnessed her father, a family physician in the Philippines, tremendously impact people's lives through healthcare. In those moments, it became evident she wanted to follow in his footsteps.
The pair shared, "We always felt that it was our calling to contribute to the community by committing to put the service of others first.".
A Career in Anesthesiology
As parents to two young boys (ages nine months and three years old) in a two-physician household, work-life balance was challenging while working full-time permanent positions. Dr. Patterson and Dr. Jacobs often left before their children woke up and returned home after they were asleep. The couple tried their best to balance being present for all the significant milestones in their children's lives while continuing to develop their careers in medicine.
In struggling with their work-life balance, the pair chose to leave their permanent jobs and switch to working anesthesiology locum tenens this past January. Anesthesiology locum tenens' work enables them to spend more time with their children and achieve a healthy work-life balance. Now, they can plan their schedules to ensure at least one of them will be home at a reasonable hour and can dedicate most weekends to quality family time.
Dr. Jacobs shared, "Our biggest skill as a couple so far has been the ability to work well together as a team. Even in times when we are just trying to survive amidst the household chaos of a tantruming toddler and a screaming baby while also trying to take care of our own well-being, we have managed to be 50/50 partners in life.".
Finding work close to home while working anesthesiology locums was of utmost importance to the couple. The pair wanted to find assignments that allowed them to be still close to their families, and with help from Medicus, they found an assignment close to home that allowed them to create their own schedules.
A Piece of Advice
Throughout the years, the couple has encountered many memorable cases and mentors who have helped shape their careers. Dr. Paterson shared that she received a letter from a patient thanking her for the care provided during surgery. The patient had experienced debilitating postoperative nausea and vomiting with past anesthetics. Dr. Patterson took measures to prevent the same experience from happening. She knew she'd made a difference in the patient's life by combining her clinical knowledge with empathy and compassion.
Their best advice to other physicians is to surround yourself with the best support system. "While the practice of medicine can be rewarding, it can be equally as challenging. Having a significant other who understands and supports your career can make all the difference.".
If you're interested in anesthesiology locum tenens opportunities, view our openings here!
