FROM THE PRESIDENT by PATRICIA PURCELL , MD , MBA , FAAP
A Day In The Life Of A Chameleon
Halloween is a celebration that embraces the “ souls of the dead ” returning and if one dresses in a costume , one may be able to stave off the spirits . Now , there have been days that I contemplated staving off each human being I encountered , but quickly realized this was not a possibility . Recognizing the impracticality of this plan , I then donned the costume of the day and carefully navigated all my encounters . While I did not always change what I was wearing , I did have my clothing that assisted in protecting me throughout the day . Scrubs were the ultimate protector : pajamas in soft blue cotton with a drawstring waist . After residency , scrubs were not an option , so I graduated to comfortable , and hopefully fashionable , clothing that varied with my mood . I might choose clothing that reflected I was happy , serious or pensive . My clothing reflected my demeanor on various days .
My demeanor is also influenced by the specific day ( am I the late-night physician ?) and the number of adolescents ( had to be current in clothing , spirit and style ). I factor in the number of well and sick visits ( had to definitely have all my preventative tools foremost in my mind ) as well as infant and toddler visits ( many smiles , much crying and joy in watching their development , plus clothing that can be easily washed ). As most of you can appreciate , irrespective of my mood , the knock on the door to the patient ’ s room would elicit a smile and empathetic response . This is what we do every day . A day in my life is a conflation of mood and the presentation of that mood .
But this is about Halloween and how might I dress in a costume that would signify protection against the “ spirits .” How might I be someone else ? As physicians , we are adept at recognizing the need for change . A morning filled with flat tires or traffic congestion , sick children and who may be able to help , or an argument with someone we love reveals the chameleon in all of us . We change our behavior to successfully navigate our staff and our patients . While the morning created stress and discomfort , I have a profession that empowers me to focus on being my best self . I can reflect on various days when I was not at my emotional best , yet as I approached the door , my demeanor changed . I smiled when I entered the room and presented what I hoped was a more positive self . The chameleon changed its color and shape .
Now as I consider who I would ultimately like to be for a day , I realize how often I change ever so slightly in any given day . If I could change , if I could replicate myself as a chameleon by changing shape and color , I see myself as Julia Child , albeit a shorter vision of an extraordinary chef . Or I might change into Dorie Greenspan , a cookbook author who spends months in Paris each year . Or even Debbie Perelman , a young mother in New York with two small children who has written three books and blogs about her days in New York , in a small kitchen , preparing meals for her family . The change would require becoming taller with a fuller hair style , becoming smaller with shorter hair and a small scarf around my neck or becoming younger and more creative . While cooking is my favorite hobby and being Julia , Dorie or Deb would be extraordinary , I thrive and enjoy my life as it is . The chameleon can rest .
Halloween allows us the opportunity to become a chameleon and change for the day or just for the evening . I think as physicians , we have the opportunity to change every day . Being a physician empowers us to change when it is needed ; from room to room , patient to patient or staff member to staff member . For me , Halloween is every day ! Who is your inner chameleon ?
Dr . Purcell currently serves as the District IV Vice Chair for the American Academy of Pediatrics .
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