I recently completed an interview for Marie Claire magazine on women who have overcome adversity. I was truely honored by the opportunity because it was a completely unexpected! I think what also kind of made me pause was the reality that openning Valentine Medical Center and trying to be of service to the community is really a lot of work! Sure you don’t think of the fact that you are in a storm when the wind is blowing. At that time, all your mind can focus on is getting to shelter. However, a storm is a storm and we are all familiar with that… It really wasn’t until someone brought the actual journey to my attention did I sit back to think about it.
As I have thought about our progress, growth, and success here at the office, I also realized that everyone who decided to move back to the New Orleans area after Hurricane Katrina has “overcome adversity.” I remember watching CNN and just about any and every news program that covered the devastation that began in August 2005. Vividly I can recall watching and knowing that I was going to move back as soon as we were allowed to get busy building, working and living. The thing is these feelings were not mine alone! I realize that EVERYONE in this area had the same revelation at some point! Sure we needed physicians to return, but we also needed every other facet of the community to return as well which has led to our continuing success.
I think of how many times I talked to other physicians early on and told them of my plan to open an office in post-Katrina New Orleans. They would say “wow, really?” then they would tell me of a great job I could accept. I know we were driven, encouraged and motivated by a higher power during those very dark times. The great thing is that our endurance and creativity are now paying off. I am blessed to work with a wonderful and dedicated team here at Valentine Medical Center. It is also truely exciting to witness our community blossom. So the bottom line is we have ALL overcome adversity! Just one more reason to be proud to call Louisiana home!