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WOMEN IN
MEDICINE

WORK HARD.

SET PRIORITIES.

AND NEVER GIVE UP.

By Jessica Rutstein, DPM

It is an honor to be a part of the medical community in San When my kids get older, I will likely work more. For me, being there
to pick my kids up from school and taking them to and from their
Antonio and contribute to the November 2018 issue of
San Antonio Medicine, focusing on Women in Medicine.
When I decided I wanted to be a doctor, I did not really understand after-school activities is important. Even though it is exhausting, it
allows us to catch up and connect.
all of the challenges that lay ahead of me. I had grown up with doc- Another essential is exercise! Every day I wake up and force my-
tors in the family; one aunt a pediatrician, another aunt a neonatol- self out of bed to exercise. If I did not sleep well (which is about
ogist, and my father a rheumatologist. I recall thinking it was an every night) I will do gentle pilates or yoga. My goal is to jog daily
amazing job in every way. I wanted in. and do weights. Sometimes I just walk the dog with my husband.
So, I went the “pre-med” route upon entering University of Texas Keep moving. It clears the mind and keeps all the endorphins going.
at Austin. I remember calling my father after the first week of en- I feel strongly about this: exercise first thing in the morning. You
gineering calculus at UT close to tears. “Dad, why do I need to know know you won’t go after clinic. Your energy has been sucked out
how to figure out the area underneath a roller coaster if I want to of you after a long day and you are tired. You have to make dinner,
be a doctor?” I was only one of a handful of women in the class, walk the dog, and do your 7th grade science project. You have to
and I had never taken calculus. My father replied: “It is just a game. get kids’ lunches ready for the next day and get the coffee ready for
They are trying to weed out students who can handle medical school the morning.
classes and those who cannot. Play the game and win.” It was a Taking care of yourself includes whatever it is that you love
wake-up call. Work hard, get an “A”. So, I did. doing, and doing that as often as possible. I love to travel, and we
After college I applied to all of the Texas medical schools and I try to go on family trips a few times a year. I try to get a pedicure
was wait-listed at UTMB Galveston. During that time, I discovered once a month and get my hair done at least once every two months.
Podiatry School. I shadowed with two San Antonio podiatrists, Dr. Maybe 1-2 times a year I will treat myself to a massage. It is fun for
Larry Harkless and Dr. Richard Pollak, and realized it was a great me to feel like a woman, since most days I am in scrubs, no jewelry,
fit for me. and a ponytail. It is easy to forget yourself because most of your
Looking back now, becoming a podiatrist is one of the best time is dedicated to taking care of everyone else. So, don’t feel guilty!
choices I have made in my life. An added bonus: I met my husband, I also find a lot of joy from watching my kids participate in their
Dr. David Hughes, in podiatry school. It truly is a great field for activities. My daughter swims and my son plays golf. I try to go to
women in medicine, one that I consider the best kept “secret” in all of my daughter’s swim meets and most of my son’s golf tourna-
medicine. ments. This means saying “no” to other events, but at this time in
What is also fortunate about choosing my career as a doctor is my life my kids are my top priority.
that it can be flexible. This is essential in being successful with rais- That brings me to the other thing we need to do more: just say
ing young children, having a family and a life! I have known several “no”. It is okay to not commit to every dinner, lecture, fundraiser,
female physicians who simply quit their job because it is too stressful volunteer opportunity if you are already overwhelmed with what is
to try to “do it all”. Don’t quit! Make it work for you. on your plate. Life changes, and kids get older. You will have time
Currently, I work part-time and my husband works full-time. for all of that stuff once the kids are grown up. I think it is great to

14 San Antonio Medicine • November 2018