2022 - 2023 Wellness Committee Leader Spotlight

Leena Owen, DO, MPH, Chair of the EMRA Wellness Committee, 2022-2023

Program: The Johns Hopkins Hospital

Your goal as an EMRA leader: My goal as an EMRA leader is to increase committee member participation and expand our programming and initiatives to support student and resident wellness on and off shift.

Did you pick up a new quarantine hobby? I got much more into cooking. I love expanding what I eat, trying new recipes. I used to dread strings of nights, but now I get excited because it means some delicious meal prep blasting music in my kitchen.

Favorite life hack for night shifts: Early on intern year I realized that I kept waking up mid-day because I was hungry for lunch. Now I always prioritize a big breakfast when I get home from shift (talking eggs, fruit, toast/bagel/hashbrowns and a pastry if I’m feeling extra special that day) so I can sleep the day away in a food coma and wake up well rested for the next night.

What's the last non-textbook you read? Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Aditchie & The Maid by Nita Prose

Leyanet Gonzalez, MD, MBA, Chair-Elect of the EMRA Wellness Committee, 2022-2023

Program: Northeast Georgia Medical Center

Your goal as an EMRA leader: To help educate, promote, and support the mental, physical, & spiritual wellbeing of our community.

Top 3 traits of a great leader:
1. Empathetic
2. Diligent
3. Supportive

What is the best advice you've ever received? "Lo que esta para ti, nadie te lo quita" - my dad

If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: a homicide detective

Jessie Cable, MS4, Vice Chair of the EMRA Wellness Committee, 2022-2023

Program: Kansas City University of Medicine

Your goal as an EMRA leader: Promote wellness integration throughout all domains of Emergency Medicine

What is something people don't know about you? I am a registered yoga teacher! I have my RYT200.

If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: A chef!

Did you pick up a new quarantine hobby? Baking bread!

Favorite life hack for night shifts: STARBUCKS

What's on your playlist? ~celine dion~

Benjamin Hong, MD, Vice Chair of the EMRA Wellness Committee, 2022-2023

Program: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Your goal as an EMRA leader: As Vice Chair of the EMRA Wellness Committee, I'm looking forward to meeting and working with the leaders in the field to help find effective and targeted solutions to address the critical state of resident mental health and well-being.

If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: A professional chef or a Nat Geo photographer.

Favorite life hack for night shifts: Stay up as late as you can the night before (perfect excuse to go out with your friends!), then sleep in as late as you can the day of, and then you're ready to go.

What's the last non-textbook you read? Pachinko. Highly recommend, especially if you come from an immigrant/Asian/Korean-American background!

Danielle Andrews, Asst. Vice Chair of the EMRA Wellness Committee, 2022-2023

Program: Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine

Your goal as an EMRA leader: My goal as the assistant vice chair for the wellness committee is to create safe spaces that prioritize the student and resident wellbeing, and normalizes conversation about mental health within medicine.

If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: A food critic. I love trying new cuisines but unfortunately have too many allergies to make this dream become a reality. So...a doctor seemed like the next best choice, haha!

What's the last non-textbook you read? When Breath Becomes Air

Favorite Twitter feed: @DGlaucomflecken

What's on your playlist? Lots of dancehall, soca, gospel, and RnB music

Destiny Folk, MD, Asst. Vice Chair of the EMRA Wellness Committee, 2022-2023

Program: Carolinas Medical Center

Your goal as an EMRA leader: My goal as an EMRA leader is to normalize, encourage, and help foster wellness among EM residents across the country. I hope to do this by creating easily accessible resources for residents through virtual seminars, podcasts, and/or social media platforms. I also hope to advocate for change on a national level as we continue to make the systemic changes needed to improve resident wellness.

What is the best advice you've ever received? Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning how to dance in the rain

What is something people don't know about you? I have a fear of heights. I love roller coasters but activities like hiking on steep mountains scare me. My husband loves to hike…so I’m constantly working on conquering this fear.

If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: A yoga or HIIT instructor

What's on your playlist? Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Adele, and Miley Cyrus