Q: What inspired your career choice?
JG: That’s complicated. I took a bunch of different career paths to get to where I am. I started out as biology major and then I went to chiropractic college in Kansas City. While there, I considered medical school so I applied to the osteopathic medical school in Kansas City and was accepted. After internship, I was drawn to internal medicine; I did that residency and then practiced internal medicine for three years. I realized at that time that I really preferred critical care more than primary care, and I considered switching to cardiology or pulmonology. And I had a friend that was an anesthesiologist and he thought that anesthesiology might be exactly what I was looking for. And it was. I completed a residency in anesthesiology and it was a great move!
Q: What advice would you have for young physicians today?
JG: Same advice I give my kids. Don’t be afraid to change as I did. Sometimes you choose what you think is the best path but It’s better to change than stay in a choice you are not happy in.
Q: What advice would you have for a young person thinking about going into medicine?
JG: Speak to as many physicians as you can to get their opinions and experiences on how medicine has changed over the years. That can better help shape the decision on whether or not to pursue medicine and, if so what field of medicine to pursue.
Q: What’s a secret talent you have?
JG: I play bagpipes. My sister started playing a few years before me and I always had an interest in playing bagpipes as well. I join a band in Newport RI in 2009. I took some lessons and never looked back.
Q: Would you rather have beach house or a mountain house?
JG: Mountain house. And I say that because I live right by the beach and I rarely take advantage of it.
Q: What’s your favorite sports team/ and or city?
JG: Favorite sports team is the New England Patriots even though they’re going through a hard time. Kansas City Chiefs is a close second because I spent seven years in Kansas City.
Q: Favorite way to enjoy the day?
JG: I’m a morning person. I love getting up early and enjoying the early sunrise hours.
Q: What are some hobbies you enjoy?
JG: Hiking. Running. Bagpipes. Travel.
Q: A skill that you would like to learn?
JG: Playing the piano or violin.
Q: What is an ideal vacation for you?
JG: Getting away from the cell phone and the distractions. Probably somewhere exotic because I love to visit new and exciting places. I’ve been on mission trips in Honduras and China and I really enjoyed that. A couple of years ago I took a trip to Israel and that was amazing. Kathmandu is on my bucket list.
Q: Why do you love RISOPS?
JG: I got involved with RISPOS when I first came to Rhode Island. For me, it is important to be involved in our osteopathic national, state and specialty medical societies because I feel the need to be involved and give back to the profession that gave me the opportunity to practice medicine. If we don’t support our own profession, who else will?