Page 29 - SAM September 2019

FEATURE

exemplary leaders and about my own flavor of leadership. The MBA and can now print out my new business card with all five
TEDx talk we each had to give at the end of the class was the letters in their proper order: MD, MBA. I earned it; albeit 30 years
cake-icing. Mine was on The Power of the Word “NO”. post MD. I am hopeful for the doors it will open to me. I had no
The highlight of the program was our 12-day international trip “why.” I did it because I could, because the funds were available,
to South East Asia. The 17-hour flights only fueled the excite- or simply because.
ment I felt in seeing Singapore and Vietnam. I can’t quite articu- I’d like to end with this; follow your heart, try something
late Singapore. Its clean streets, ultramodern architecture, eclectic new, push yourself. What is holding you back from following
suburbs, fine dining, high-end shopping, educated minds, and and fulfilling your dreams? Remember, life is what happens
multiracial indigenes all living harmoniously despite differences while you are busy planning…so get off your phone, get off
in religion, language, customs and cultures. A hard lesson for all your couch and just do it!
African countries to learn (sadly). Singapore welcomed me with My name is Uchenna Umeh, MD, MBA, and I approve this
open arms. I even sang Karaoke with a local band at a pub. message.
Vietnam was different. More real, dirtier, noisier, almost “hap-
pier” than Singapore. We visited the Crocs factory, dined with locals Dr. Uchenna Umeh aka Dr. Lulu the Momatrician, is a
in a traditional Vietnamese home, and took a canoe ride on the river BC Pediatrician with nearly 30 year clinical experience. She
to the coconut village, where our senses were mesmerized by aro- quit clinical medicine last year to follow a calling to speak on
mas of coconut. Since I am a Tropical Chic, this, was home! I ended child, teen and young adult depression and suicide. Her first
the trip by finishing the final edits of my first book – How to Raise book is an Amazon Bestseller. She is also host of Dr. Lulu's
Well-Rounded Children on the plane ride home. It’s available online. Parenting Your Teen Workshop and Host of Suicide Pages with Dr. Lulu,
I shall miss school. I am proud to say that I completed the the Podcast. She lives in San Antonio with her family.

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