We’re continuing our monthly HCP Spotlight program to highlight some of our amazing crowd members. This month’s HCP spotlight is Dr. Dana Corriel, Board Certified Internist, and founder of SoMeDocs.
Q: What made you go into your selected medical profession?
A: I grew up always thinking that I wanted to become a doctor. I wanted to help people and it seemed the most obvious route to take in order to do that. Internal medicine let me enjoy the ongoing relationship with patients, and allowed me to take care of the “whole” person rather than just a specific part.
Q: What is something you wish you could tell all female physicians who are starting their careers?
A: I would tell them to keep an open mind about their potential. Allow themselves to dream and to think outside the box because that’s how we can ultimately innovate. Don’t forget to allow yourself room for error and growth.
Q: What was the catalyst for starting SoMeDocs?
A: I don’t think I ever quite grasped what it took to become a doctor (maybe because no one in my immediate family had become one). After the truly arduous process getting there – the commitment, financial burden, missed opportunities, and more – I woke up one day, well into my 40’s, realizing that this wasn’t what I had bargained for. It wasn’t that I no longer wanted to help people, per se, but rather that the state of medicine had turned into something different than what it had previously been. The physician was less and less in control of the patient-physician relationship and this, in my opinion, was compromising my role (and the likelihood of getting to positive health results). And so after years of trying to make it work, I decided to take a step back and do something different to try and impact change.
Q: What role do you think social media plays for healthcare professionals?
A: Social media gives us an opportunity to communicate with people from all over the world, at the tips of our fingers, and on OUR OWN TIME. That means more connections, more conversations and networking, and more positive changes. I see the ability to impact change given the accessibility of communication channels online. Physicians are educated and they hold degrees. Instead of improving health behind closed doors, they can start fitting into everyday online conversations and ensure content is evidence-based. We can fit ourselves into the influencing conversations and thereby make a positive difference.
Stay tuned for our next HCP Spotlight!
