EY: What’s the most important lessons you’ve learnt over the last ten years?
Florence: I’ve learned to allow myself to live in a different era, experience new magical adventures or experience the day of another person through the words written in a book always brings me a sense of joy even on the most difficult of days. Reading not only allows me a moment of escape but also gives me a moment of renewal.
All the aspects of my life including my career and hobbies are a part of who I am and every experience, whether it may be with a patient or any other individual has taught me what it means to show kindness, sympathy and respect to all people around me despite their age, race or position in society.
EY: What is the toughest but most rewarding part of your job?
Florence: To be a doctor means that you can not only help an individual with their physical health, but also allows the opportunity to have a holistic approach with all patients relating to all aspects of their lives. Perusing medicine has always been a great passion of mine and now that I am in the position that I am today, it brings me a sense of pride and joy when a patient of mine simply says “Thank you Doctor”, because I can see in their eyes that they are genuinely thankful as I was able to make even the smallest change to their current circumstance. Unfortunately with that joy, there are those sorrowful times when you have to inform a patient’s family member that the person that came to the hospital is unfortunately no longer with us and will not be returning home with them. It is in those moments when my heart fills with overwhelming sadness.
Advice to my younger self: “Florence, you don’t have to be perfect, you just have to do your best. It is not your failure that defines you, but it is what you do with those failures that with build you into the person that you want to be.”
Currently reading: ‘Becoming Michelle Obama’ by Michelle Obama
