Fan of the Month (June 2014)

AMRI’s Fan of the Month for June
Introducing: Deborah Myers, MD

What inspired you to become a doctor?

When I was 5 years old, I had a serious episode of pyelonephritis. This was in the early days of penicillin, and instead of IV therapy, they used a process where needles were inserted subcutaneously in the thighs and the medication was infused over several hours—basically, an intentional infiltration. You can imagine how much fun that was for a 5 year old. From that moment, I wanted to be a pediatrician because I knew there had to be a better way.

What is your most notable story from your career as a doctor?

I practiced in my home town. One day a school friend called me to say that her 6 week old baby girl was not acting right and had not eaten all day; could I see her? Of course I agreed to see the baby right away.

When they walked through the door, the baby was very nearly dead. I grabbed her, told her mom and dad to come with me in my car, and I drove like a maniac to the hospital. Once there, I started a resuscitation and got her incubated and x-rayed. I also had blood drawn and a spinal tap and spt done.

Just as I finished with the first fluid bolus, the cxr came back. I died a thousand deaths when I looked at it. The baby’s heart was as big as her chest. I really wanted that bolus back. I consulted by phone with a pediatric cardiologist who was also friends with the parents. He got me started on the right meds to reopen her ductus. I gave her a dose of lasix and she stabilized enough for transport to a hospital that offered pediatric cardiology and surgery.

Every year since, I sent a card on her birthday, and last year I showed up unannounced to her graduation from nursing school. I don't know who cried the most, her or me. She is a NICU nurse today. 

What is the funniest thing you encountered in your career as a doctor?

That would have to be the night that a drunk and high lady fell through the ceiling of the ER exam room next door to hers. (This was after escaping from her restraints for the third time) She landed on a bed that had been occupied by a patient with the chief complaint of constipation. When the drunk lady hit the bed, that patient was standing at the nurses’ station, certifiably cured.

How do you keep up with the latest information in your field?

I keep up with the latest things in my field with online education. So often, the conferences offered are too expensive for a lowly pediatrician like me. I also have a very hard time being at some fabulous location and being stuck in a chair at lectures all day long. Travel is for relaxation; the computer is for CME.

What is the most amazing thing you have ever done?

First, I married well, and raised three amazing boys who are all productive members of society and two of whom are great dads. I love being a grandmother!

But, back to some amazing things I have done: I played my clarinet in the Vienna Opera House with my high school band; I went scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef; I played "The Star-Spangled Banner" in a lot of really special places and cried every time; I have the honor of playing in my church orchestra with some really fine musicians every Sunday in order to Glorify my Lord; I was a volunteer at the finish line for the Iditarod Race this past March and got to help with the dogs and drive a dog sled; I had the privilege of seeing the Northern Lights; and I have traveled to all 50 states—having driven to 43 of them in our motorhome.

Out of all the things I have been privileged to do, it is impossible to choose just one.