February 2021 Spotlight: Eden Haile, DO
This month’s spotlight features Dr. Eden Haile, a pediatric resident in New Orleans, Louisiana. Read more to learn about Dr. Haile and her work.
Could you briefly explain some of your responsibilities in your current career role?
As a resident, I am currently training to become a Pediatrician. This includes caring for sick children admitted to the hospital as well as those in outpatient, clinic settings. I examine and diagnose pediatric patients, formulate treatment plans, perform procedures, and write prescriptions. I manage the care of children in the inpatient ward, intensive care unit, emergency department, and other various sub-specialty clinics.
How did you come to decide that this was the right career path for you?
Ever since I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a physician. I had an early interest in pediatrics, but I kept an open mind while rotating through the different specialties while in medical school. I’ve always been great with children and my pediatrics rotation solidified this as the best career for me. I love it all; from examining newborns to talking with adolescents about life. I always left work feeling fulfilled. There was nothing that brought me more joy as a medical student than seeing, first hand, the resilient nature of a sick child.
What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your career?
The most challenging part of my career is seeing kids suffer from illnesses they had no control over developing. From congenital abnormalities to different pediatric cancers, these innocent kids never deserve to go through these things – but so many do. It can be very hard to experience day in and day out. The most rewarding part of my job is spending time with fun, spontaneous kids; it really makes my job as a doctor so enjoyable. I’m either laughing or making them laugh – either way is so rewarding. They may be the smallest, but children are very often the toughest people in the room.
Is there a philosophy that drives your career?
Ask questions! It doesn’t matter if you are the parent, the physician or the patient.
What do you consider to be your greatest professional accomplishment?
I will never forget the first moment a mother asked me to be her baby’s pediatrician. Her baby was born premature and spent three weeks in the neonatal ICU. I took care of him during that time, and when it was time for him to be discharged, his mother asked if I could be his permanent pediatrician. It made me feel honored that his mother trusted me so much that she wanted me to be his doctor as he grew up. This is what I do it for. I look forward to seeing his name on my schedule!
What is some advice you would give to medical students interested in pursuing pediatrics?
My advice to any medical students interested in pediatrics is, firstly, I think they are making an awesome choice. Secondly, I would tell them that being a pediatrician is not only taking care of kids, but also working with their parents. It is very important to spend time with them, explain things to them, and more importantly, to listen to them. They might not be doctors, but they know their kids better than I do and it’s my job to listen to all of their concerns.
What does a day in the life of a resident physician look like?
Most of the time, I have to be at work at 6:30AM. I arrive and get updates from the night team about current and new patients. During the day, I examine my patients, review imaging and labs, write notes, put in orders and present the patients to my attendings. At the end of the day, I sign my patients out to the night team. I go to clinic once a week and see patients there as well. Depending on the rotation, I also work nights from 6:30PM to 6:30AM and sometimes even 28-hours straight!
And what advice would you share with those preparing for residency?
Manage your time well. I turned my goals into tasks using the RULE OF 3s – This is super simplistic but it actually works: Identify three outcomes I want for the day, three for the week, three for the month and three for the year. Three is small enough of a number where it’s not overwhelming, but at the same time, over the course of a year, so many goals are attainable. Find your favorite time to work; figure out what times of the day you’re most focused. I’m a night person, so that’s when I excel. Some people force themselves to be morning people when in fact, they focus better at night, which never really worked for me. Just don’t be afraid to try out different techniques when perfecting your study schedule.
Outside of all of your hard work, what do you do for fun? Hobbies?
I have an obsession with planning and decorating. I’d like to think if I wasn’t a doctor, I would be a wedding planner or even an interior designer.